Oxfam moves to combat stunting
Oxfam in Malawi has launched Increase Investment in Nutrition Campaign Project in Dedza to scale up the fight against stunting in the district.
The launch follows reports that the district has a high percentage of stunting at 42.8 percent, surpassing the 37 percent at national level.
Speaking on Saturday during the launch, Oxfam in Malawi livelihoods resilience programme manager Steve Kuliyazi asked other stakeholders to mobilise more resources to fight malnutrition.
He said: “Decision-makers have the power to make it easy for the sector to have more resources.
“Through this campaign, we will train them on how they can request more resources to support nutrition initiatives.”
Kuliyazi said it was high time policymakers allocated more resources towards the nutrition sector, adding that over the past five years, resources were less than one percent.
“Much as food is available in Dedza, people should be taught how they can prepare nutritious food for their children,” he said.
On his part, Dedza acting district commissioner George Ngaiyaye asked for collaboration from stakeholders to reduce stunting in the district.
“We need to sensitise people to nutrition issues and discourage them from selling foodstuffs,” he said.
Ngaiyaye said only seven percent of resources in the district are located towards improving nutrition.
Oxfam in Malawi with funding from GIZ is implementing the Increase Investment in Nutrition Campaign Project in Dedza, Dowa and Salima districts targeting under-five children and expectant and breastfeeding mothers.
