Track nutrition funds, lobby for more—CSO

Civil Society Organisations Nutrition Alliance (Cisona) has appealed to non-State actors advancing nutrition interventions to track resources approved for improving nutrition in district councils.

The organisation made the appeal on Saturday at a Public Expenditure Training on nutrition funding at Mponela for its affiliates from Nkhotakota and Ntcheu.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, lead facilitator Humphreys Mdyetseni said civil society organisations (CSOs) have a critical role to play to role in ensuring funds for nutrition interventions are prudently spent.

He observed that although Malawi has made significant strides in fighting malnutrition, indicators are far from convincing.

“CSOs have to probe and establish how funds are being utilised. We also need to lobby for increased funding because if we don’t, we risk compromising nutrition interventions in councils,” he said.

In an interview, one of the participants, Emmanuel Banda said the training enhanced his finance tracking skills, saying he will now be able to hold duty-bearers accountable.

Cisona is implementing a 13-month nutrition governance project in the two districts with financial assistance from Tilitonse Foundation.