Nelly Bassily | May 11, 2014
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1-Cote d’Ivoire: Ivorians face malnutrition
Forty per cent of children in northern Cote d’Ivoire are chronically malnourished, higher than the national average of 30 per cent.
The proportion of malnourished children in the countryhas remained constant for the last six years. But with too few medical staff, the situation is likely to deteriorate, and is further complicated by aid groups leaving and recent political conflict.
In 2012, three UN agencies warned that Cote d’Ivoirefaced food shortages and chronic malnutrition because ofthe number of people displaced in the 2010-11 violence,and also because of poor rainfall and an extended lean season.
At the time, rebels controlled the northern part of the country. The government has yet to improve public services in the north.
To read the full article, go to:http://www.irinnews.org/report/99907/chronic-malnutrition-dogs-c%C3%B4te-d-ivoire-s-north
2-Uganda: Food aid for Karamoja
In the arid northeastern Ugandan region of Karamoja, households are receiving food aid earlier than usual this year.
The World Food Programme, or WFP, is distributing food to help fight food insecurity. WFP is targeting 155,000 people from the most food insecure households. The organization aims to help over 350,000 people with an asset creation program; 100,000 children will receive school meals through the plan.
According to a food security assessment conducted by Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, WFP and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, over 100,000 Karamojong face food insecurity, while a quarter of a million are at risk because of the long dry spell across the region.
To read the full article, go to:http://www.irinnews.org/report/99903/questions-over-karamoja-food-security-plan
3-Rwanda: Biofortified beans fight hunger
In 2000, the national government awarded Joane Nkuliye 25 hectares of land in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, a two hour drive from the capital, Kigali.
At first, Ms. Nkuliye thought about raising cattle. But when she saw the degree of malnutrition in the community, she changed her mind.
Ms. Nkuliye now grows food as well on 11 hectares of her land in Nyagatare district. She focuses on biofortified, protein-rich beans to help fight malnutrition. Many children in the area suffer from kwashiorkor, aform of malnutrition caused by severe protein deficiency.
An international NGO called HarvestPlus, working through its local partners, supplied Ms. Nkuliye with seeds, packaging and outlets through which she canmarket the nutritious beans.
In Rwanda, 44 per cent of the population − over five million people − suffer from malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency. Biofortified foods like beans are one solution to the chronic lack of vitamins and minerals.
One in three Rwandans is anemic, or deficient in iron, with a higher proportion in women and children.
To read the full article, go to:http://www.ipsnews.net/2014/04/biofortified-beans-fight-hidden-hunger-rwanda/