United Kingdom Helps WFP Fight Malnutrition In Mozambique

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2017-01-17

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a GBP 3.6 million contribution from the United Kingdom to help fight malnutrition in Mozambique.

The contribution from UKaid will provide nutritional support over the next six months to approximately 60,000 people in the worst-affected provinces - Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Nampula, Tete, Sofala and Zambezia. The majority of those who will receive nutritional support are malnourished children under five years of age, and pregnant and nursing women.

“UKaid is delighted to be working together in partnership with WFP to help some of the most vulnerable people in Mozambique,” said Cate Turton, Head of UKaid in Mozambique.

In Mozambique, 43 percent of children under the age of five are stunted (short for their age). Those worst affected are living in the north of the country where they face a combination of factors including food insecurity, limited access to clean water and sanitation, and deep-rooted poverty in rural areas. Stunting influences not only physical development but also cognitive capacity; its effects can extend into adulthood, affecting health, productivity and life span.

Mozambique is among the countries in southern Africa which have been severely affected by the worst drought in decades. Southern and central provinces have been particularly badly hit. Some 1.4 million people in these regions are acutely food insecure and in need of food assistance. The number could rise to 2.3 million during the January-March peak of the lean season.

“We’re very grateful for this contribution from the British people,” said Karin Manente, WFP Country Director in Mozambique. “Poor nutrition has far-reaching consequences for young children as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding women. These funds enable us to provide vital support to the most vulnerable people.”

WFP is supporting the government on the implementation of its Nutritional Rehabilitation Programme (PRN I & II) for the treatment of moderate and severe acute malnutrition, and providing technical assistance with national nutrition surveys.

In 2016, the United Kingdom was one of the top donors to WFP worldwide, having contributed more than US$ 24.4 million to WFP operations in southern Africa.

Source:World Food Programme

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