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It appears that the signs of malnutrition and hunger are less visible in those affected by it in the Mano River Basin Countries. However, studies conducted by churches have realized that malnutrition and hunger have devastating effects on health, productivity, and mental development of people in the long run. Hunger and malnutrition have wounds on citizens created by poverty and food insecurity. Hunger and malnutrition will be ended if churches and governments can provide support and show great solidarity for smallholder farmers who are referred to as the engine of rural economy. Citizens living in the Mano River Basin Countries are also vulnerable to volatile food crises and climate change prompting changes in dietary intake. Citizens are shifting away from foods that are rich in micronutrients and retaining the consumption of low-micronutrient foods which are relatively less expensive.

The Faith and Justice Network expresses deep concerns over the effects of Hidden Hunger and Malnutrition on people in the Mano River Basin. The need for a multispectral approach at a subregional level is needed to tackle the underlying causes of hidden hunger and malnutrition. The network sees access to nutritive food as a question of justice and the church needs to stand up and publically expose and denounce the violation of the right to food and remind respective national governments of their commitments towards sustainable production and consumption patterns.

The Faith and Justice Network encourages the faith communities to take a cohesive approach in ways to achieve improvement in people’s entitlement to adequate food in the MRU Basin. The power of God must be experienced by people in the midst of poverty and hunger.

At a dinner conference, church leaders from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire bespoke the timeliness and insightfulness of Hidden Hunger.

With startling statistics, church leaders in the Mano River Basin acknowledged the relevance for food security, outlined the phenotypes of hunger, and zoomed in on “hidden hunger” or “micronutrient deficiencies” discussing causes and effects in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cote d’Ivoire.

The FJN has endorsed the adoption of Agroecology; applying the system for churches and small-scale traditional farmers in the region should develop and inherit. These farming systems will help church farmers survive harsh environments and produce what is necessary for subsistence with minimum usage of external inputs. Eliminating hidden hunger and malnutrition is a challenge but if enough resources are provided by respective national governments, the right policies developed, and the right investments made, these challenges can be overcome. The church needs to do more through its public witness to ensure that people around the MRU member countries gain access to the nutrient-rich foods they need to fight hidden hunger and malnutrition.