By Politico staff writer
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), with support from Irish Aid, Japan and Edesia have launched a treatment programs for moderately malnourished children and pregnant women across the country.
The program, which was launched on the 14th of August 2020 in Kenema, eastern Sierra Leone, targets over 64,000 children from 6-59 months, as well as pregnant and lactating mother across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Country Director of WFP, Dr. Housainou Taal, expressed gratitude to the Irish Aid and the Government of Japan for providing the funds to reactivate the provision of specialized, nutritious food to malnourished children and mothers whose situation has been made worse by COVID-19.
“WFP will continue to work with the Government to improve the nutritional status of vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls,” she said.
According to government figures, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, 3 out of 10 children were malnourished.
This situation has been made worse by the pandemic, pointing to a need for timely action by all stakeholders.
WFP has been implementing the stunting prevention program in districts with the highest rates of stunting. It was first piloted in Moyamba and has since been extended to Kambia and Pujehun districts. It is complemented by Social Behavioural Change Communication messages in 24 Peripheral Health units, targeting about 54,000 children 6-23 months, pregnant and lactating women and girls.
In his statement as he launched the program, the Deputy Minister of health II, Dr. Amara Jambai, noted that the treatment program would help reduce the number of children becoming severely malnourished in the country. He added that there was need for all stakeholders to work together to stem stunting which has a permanent impact on the child, affecting his/her future productivity.
Speaking on behalf of the Head of Development at the Irish Embassy, Mary O'Neill said that the overarching priority of Ireland in the COVID-19 crisis response is to ensure that their development program contributes to reducing the incidents and mitigating the impact of the pandemic among vulnerable populations.
“We are delighted to see the program launched today and we will continue to ensure close collaboration with partners to champion the advocacy for global action to end hunger and under-nutrition globally as well as in Sierra Leone,” she said.
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