United Kingdom funds nutrition and resilience-building in Mozambique

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United Kingdom funds nutrition and resilience-building in Mozambique

3:37 CAT | 13 Feb 2019

File photo: WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a recent contribution of ₤ 7.5 million donation by the United Kingdom to support some of Mozambique’s most malnourished and acutely food insecure people.

Thanks to this timely contribution, a total of 120,000 people residing in the most drought affected districts in Tete province are benefiting from cash-based transfers. This includes transfers using vouchers and also introducing mobile transfers, done in close collaboration with local communities, the authorities and sectoral partners, including National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) and National Social Action Institute (INAS). The benefits of this kind of transfer modality includes the engagement of local retailers, and promoting their outreach to more distant communities, representing a boost to the local market.

The partnership with the United Kingdom also supports the provison of life-saving services for at least 11,000 children under-five and 5,000 pregnant and lactating women that suffer from moderate acute malnutrition, in several districts of Cabo Delgado, Manica, Tete and Zambezia provinces. The partnership is chanelled through the national programme for the rehabilitation of acute malnutrition managed by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with local authorities and partners.

“The World Food Programme is very grateful for the contribution of the United Kingdom, which allowed us to set up a timely response, now in full swing at the peak of the lean season”, said Karin Manente, WFP Country Director in Mozambique. “Acute food insecurity can disrupt the lives and livelihoods of local communities, while malnutrition can prevent the full growth of children as well as affecting the health of women during pregnancy, at breastfeeding and for lifetime.”

“UKAid support for nutrition and food security is an investment in Mozambique’s future. 43% of children in Mozambique are stunted, meaning they will never fulfil their potential. Stronger leadership and coordinated support is essential to act fast and respond to needs,” said Cate Turton, Head of DFID in Mozambique.

The lean season normally starts in November and ends with the harvest, in April to June. A total of 815,000 people are confirmed to be in need of emergency food assistance during the lean season, which may lead to increases in acute malnutrition if not adequately addressed.

Source: UN World Food Programme (WFP) / Press Release