MADAGASCAR:
World Bank loan to fund nutrition project
JOHANNESBURG, 30 October (IRIN) - More than a year after the political
crisis in Madagascar ended, the government is still struggling to
reduce chronic malnutrition among children.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 42 percent of
Malagasy children under five are underfed, while acute malnutrition affects 9
percent of young children.
Although already some 70 percent of the population survive on less than
US $1 per day amid widespread poverty, last year's political upheaval in
the country is believed to have exacerbated an already precarious health
situation.
"Malnutrition prevalence rates have decreased in recent years, but very
slowly. The recent problems the country experienced had a negative
effect on some of the efforts to reduce the malnutrition problem, but the
biggest obstacle is the poverty - people don't have enough money to buy food to
feed their children," WHO child and maternal consultant, Dieudonne
Randrianarimanana, told IRIN.
A tussle over the presidency last year, during which the capital city,
Antananarivo, was blockaded combined to cripple the country's already
fragile economy. The cost of rice for example - the staple food of the
Malagasy people - increased by 375 percent, pushing it beyond the reach
of many families.
Ongoing drought conditions in southern Madagascar have also left
270,000 people in need of food aid. "Although there aren't exact figures to
show exactly how bad the situation is in Toliare, we expect that
malnutrition is extremely serious," Randrianarimanana said.
At the height of the food shortages in June, a vulnerability assessment
conducted jointly with the United States Agency for International
Development and Catholic Relief Services, estimated malnutrition rates
at hospitals and health centres in the drought-affected areas at 30
percent.
The World Food Programme(WFP)reported a drop in school attendance in
the region, and more parents sending children to WFP feeding sites.
In an effort to bolster existing efforts, the World Bank this week
approved a US $10 million loan to support a nutrition project that will
focus on reducing chronic malnutrition among children aged under three
years.
The programme will make food supplementation available to malnourished
children and pregnant women, while vitamin A supplements will be given
to young children and breastfeeding mothers. A key feature is an awareness
programme highlighting increased hygiene at the household level.