Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Strengthening the Health Systems and Community Structures to Reduce Malnutrition Amongst Children

Pays  : Kenya
Localisation : Mandera,

Code : 020_001174

Date de clôture : 2015-01-31

Descriptif
The expected improvements in household food security as a result of the Oct- Dec short rains may be short lived given the prediction by FEWS NET (Oct, 2013).This calls for scaling up and timely implementation of humanitarian interventions in 2014. Pastoralist communities in Wajir and Mandera counties are vulnerable to disasters, yet emergency preparedness and response capacities at the county and sub-county ministry of health and community levels remain weak. Support to county health teams to scale-up nutrition services coverage ; strengthen information and coordination ; build operation capacity and development of county contingency plans will be key during this project. The project is designed to build on IRs experience and lessons learned, capitalizing on existing local community and government strengths and targeting weaknesses in the health systems. IR will support counties to implement the 12 high impact nutrition interventions, focusing on infant feeding, micronutrient supplementation and management of acute malnutrition. According to Lancet series 2013, these interventions have been proven to be efficient in preventing and addressing malnutrition and mortality in children if implemented fully and at scale. IR will collaborate with government health teams to provide technical, logistical, human and material resources to address identified gaps in HINI implementation in the counties. Due to the sparse population and vast distances between health facilities, it is important that health and nutrition services are mobile and outreach services will be essential in ensuring proper coverage. Given low literacy levels, the project will emphasize on nutrition education and behaviour change communication (BCC) using materials that are culturally and gender appropriate. While working to strengthen existing systems and local capacity, Islamic Relief will maintain the ability to scale-up to respond to acute malnutrition emergencies across the target areas.

Bénéficiaires : 121772

Financement : Directorate General Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO)
Value (GBP) : 622,073

Islamic Relief Worldwide