In Eastern and Southern Africa, at least 120 million children and youth are not able to attend school due to COVID-19 related school closures. More than 16 million affected school-children in the region rely on school meals and nutrition services.

Given the changing circumstances in the nutrition landscape, there is a need to reassess and reiterate the role of the schools in improving health and nutritional status of children.

The Declaration calls the Member States, civil society and international organizations to act urgently to address health inequalities and improve the social and economic determinants of health.