Operational research in healthcare
In order to overcome the divisions between methods of intervention and professional sectors, this latest edition of R4NUT was structured around the “continuum between the prevention and the treatment of undernutrition”. Issues raised by humanitarian intervention, such as its articulation with development objectives, the consequences of protocols on the ethics of action, and the mobilisation of public health researchers and decision-makers from partner countries, were raised over the course of the conference’s presentations and scientific discussions. Françoise Héritier : L’exercice de la parenté, 1981), or the repercussions of living conditions for exiles in host countries., whilst challenging the relevance of field actions. From the start, they favoured a multisectoral approach to better analyse the causes of undernutrition (3) See the conceptual framework of the causes of malnutrition developed in the 1990s by UNICEF:, on the basis of research by ACF and other actors: this schema is currently under debate, being reconsidered in the light of contributions from research in the field of undernutrition, to take contemporary issues into account, namely the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity, as well as the coexistence of over and undernutrition: but also less well-researched factors such as differences in gender valuation (cf.
Myriam Ait Aïssa, head of research at ACF-France, and Stéphanie Stern, head of the ACF Knowledge Lab project, organised the latest meeting in Paris that took place in November 2019. Since 2016, as a corrective to the lack of international discussion forums for scientific issues relating to humanitarian action against undernutrition, Action Against Hunger (ACF) has organised meetings between networks of academics, field workers and institutions, including sponsors, as part of a conference entitled R4NUT (Research for Nutrition) (2) See the Conference website.
R4NUT Conference: a forum for discussion between researchers and practitioners Scientific analysis is also required for a better understanding of the determining factors of malnutrition, and for the validation of operational strategies and health protocols. By means of platforms and partnerships, they have the potential to transform the situation, by disseminating and discussing ideas through advocacy action which is likely to improve the nutritional status of populations throughout the world. Yet various local and regional actors are seeking practical solutions to these issues. Finally, the climate crisis and the global system of food production and consumption play a significant, often overlooked, role. Furthermore, there is a disconnect between the commitments of the International Covenant in terms of economic, social and cultural rights, and the real social inequalities that exist. Efforts by the international community have failed to significantly reduce these numbers, while the second objective of the Sustainable Development Goals, to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” seems unlikely to be met by 2030.Ī failure to comply with international humanitarian law in times of conflict greatly complicates the challenges of “scaling up treatment and prevention for all children”, “establishing global food security”, and “universal health coverage”. Specifically amongst children under five, 151 million of whom currently have stunted growth while 50 million suffer from acute malnutrition (1) See the 2018 United Nations report on food and agriculture.
Nearly 820 million people are currently suffering from hunger worldwide, a figure that has unfortunately risen since 2016. Here, the three authors summarise the latest event held last November. For instance, since 2016, Action Against Hunger has been holding a conference to take stock of these mutual insights and advances in malnutrition. Many NGOs have already responded to the requirement of linking action and research. Amador Gomez, Pascal Revault, Pawankumar Patil