The latest outcome data show that malnutrition remains a pervasive challenge in all parts of the world, affecting every country. Progress is currently too slow against global targets, and the current levels of available resources sit below estimates of need.
While domestic investments are key to sustainability, donor commitments to nutrition-related interventions have been – and continue to be – an essential resource in achieving short-, medium- and long-term outcomes in developing countries. While the global economy, competing national priorities and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic all continue to affect the aid landscape, additional action and increased resources are required to accelerate progress and secure better futures for all. Although delayed until late 2021, the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit presents a critical opportunity for stakeholders to commit to further action, including financial commitments to invest in nutrition at different levels.
Against this backdrop, this report presents detailed information on the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (the FCDO, formerly the Department for International Development, or DFID)’s aid spending to improve nutrition. Building on previous assessments (Development Initiatives, 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020) and using the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement’s agreed methodology, the report analyses the latest available data up to 2019, alongside historical data.