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Biofortified Sweet Potato: A Solution for Food Insecurity

Biofortified Sweet PotatoVitamin A deficiency affects approximately 140 million children worldwide, posing serious public health challenges, including weakened immunity, stunted growth and potential blindness. Since 2009, the International Potato Center (CIP), a component of CGIAR, has led initiatives to combat this deficiency, especially in Africa and Asia. Their solution includes the development of a climate-resilient, biofortified orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP). This innovation aims to address significant global challenges like malnutrition and food scarcity.

Combating Vitamin A Deficiency

CIP’s innovative crop plays a crucial role in combating vitamin A deficiency. Consuming just 125 grams of boiled orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) can fulfill the daily vitamin A requirements for preschool-aged children, addressing malnutrition effectively. Researchers have released more than 100 pro-vitamin A sweet potato varieties in more than 20 countries, adapting each to local environmental conditions to ensure their success.

Nutritional and Health Benefits

While OFSP is rich in pro-vitamin A, biofortified potatoes developed by CIP also provide a wealth of essential nutrients. 100 grams of boiled potatoes can provide 16% of the daily potassium and 30% of the daily vitamin C needs. Recently, new varieties contain 40 to 80% more iron and zinc, with an absorption rate of 29%.  Due to OFSP, there has been a 22% reduction in vitamin A deficiency in 17 African countries.

Reaching Households

CIP’s biofortified sweet potato initiative currently benefits more than 6.4 million households, a number that’s projected to climb as the organization aims to reach 10 million households within the next five years. Studies reveal significant nutritional impacts: in Mozambique, incorporating Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) into children’s diets has slashed vitamin A deficiency by 15%. Meanwhile, in Kenya, the incorporation of sweet potato puree into bread and buns has not only enriched food with essential nutrients but also spurred economic activity, generating more than $1 million in annual sales. Consuming just two slices of bread made with OFSP puree meets 10% of an adult’s daily vitamin A requirement.

Biofortified Sweet Potatoes in the Face of Harsh Climates

The continent of Africa contributes less than 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and yet it is disproportionately impacted by changing weather patterns. By 2040, temperatures are expected to rise by 2 degrees Celsius. This not only presents a huge risk to food security but will have a severe impact on smallholder farmers who produce 90% of sub-Saharan Africa’s food. OFSP is a drought-resistant crop. More than 10 million households in Africa and South Asia now grow this crop. Furthermore, in addition to OFSP, CGIAR is developing more than 350 biofortified and climate-resistant crop varieties to benefit more than 50 million people in 41 countries. 

Future Prospects

The sweet potato program at the International Potato Center (CIP) has gained acclaim for its significant impact on global food security. In 2016, CIP researchers received the World Food Prize for their work in enhancing nutrition and food security through the cultivation of this crop. Continuing into the 2022-2024 period under the CGIAR Investment Prospectus, there is a strategic focus on transforming systems and bolstering resilient agrifood systems. This initiative champions the development of nutrient-rich and climate-resilient crops, including the biofortified sweet potato, aiming to secure a sustainable future for millions of smallholder farming families worldwide.

– Ellisha Hicken

Ellisha is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty in Pakistan: Ongoing Reduction Efforts

Poverty in PakistanAffected by political turmoil, Pakistan has faced numerous socioeconomic challenges. By 2018, these issues culminated in record levels of poverty, with more than 39% of Pakistan living below the poverty line. Amid widespread unemployment, the government has also grappled with nutritional poverty, particularly affecting the youth. This has led to significant issues, such as nationwide stunting in growth, which is directly linked to these dietary deficiencies. Here are some of the initiatives that are tackling these problems:

Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Program

This initiative, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, offers vocational training in various industries, helping young people haul themselves out of poverty and find work. With more than 25,000 youths trained nationwide, the program has played a crucial role in decreasing national poverty. Most notably, the focal point concentrating on an intake of 35% girls has ensured that the marginalized remain a focus. Ultimately, these efforts have contributed to the limitation of poverty and increased job prospects among the youth.

The Sehat Sahulat Program

Initially launched in 2015, the Sehat Sahulat Program is a social health insurance initiative providing free health care services for Pakistan’s underprivileged groups. As a result of the program, the most disadvantaged are supported by free health care. The initiative covers a range of conditions, including cancer and diabetes. Ultimately, the scheme provides financial protection and access to sustainable, quality health care to those most in need.

UNICEF Nutrition Counseling

With more than a third of children suffering from severe food poverty, the country faces an endemic in which its young are at a heightened risk of malnutrition and an unbalanced, scarce diet. The United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) initiative develops cooking demonstrations tailored to new and soon-to-be mothers, ensuring their children can be fed and energized correctly.

Alongside nutritional education, the sessions aim to educate women about the importance of hygiene and its strict relationship with food, with a particular emphasis placed on washing hands before and after preparing food. This focus has been adopted worldwide and in 2022, UNICEF counseling reached 79.3 million people globally.

Combat Against Nationwide Stunting

In Pakistan, more than 40% of children younger than 5 are stunted. A product of long-term malnutrition, stunting “impairs cognitive and physical development, which in turn impacts a child’s potential and productivity.’’ With a large proportion of pregnant women living below the poverty line, many children experience stunted growth in the womb due to their mothers’ poor diet, leading to inhibited development.

The government has launched several initiatives to fight malnutrition to address this issue, with the Ehsaas Nashonuma Program being the most prominent. The program provides nutritional education and cash transfers to pregnant or nursing women. The quarterly stipend is about $5 for mothers and boys and $7 for girls. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have also played a crucial role in the fight against stunting. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH) initiatives have thrived with the support of NGOs like HANDS. In 2022-23, HANDS conducted 16 WASH projects in 34 districts and nearly 2,000 villages in Pakistan, benefiting more than 1.8 million people.

Nutritional awareness is fundamental to the resurgence of the health of the next generation in Pakistan, pulling them out of poverty. The government has guaranteed that various schemes are in place to tackle widespread poverty. Additionally, it has ensured that the health and hygiene of the population of Pakistan are also addressed. It’s both transparent and reassuring that while the government recognizes this importance, various NGOs share the same concern.

– Jonny Wilkinson

Jonny is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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The Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan

Sahrawi refugeeThe Sahrawi refugee crisis, one of the longest-standing in the world after the displacement of Palestinians in 1948, continues to persist with little resolution in sight. Since 1975, following Spain’s withdrawal from Western Sahara and the ensuing armed conflict between Moroccan forces and the Polisario Front, approximately 173,600 Sahrawi refugees have lived in five camps near Tindouf, Algeria.

Current Situation

The Sahrawi refugees are scattered across five camps on the unforgiving “hammada,” a vast and remote desert plain in the Sahara. The most distant camp lies 170 kilometers southwest of the Algerian city of Tindouf, in an area marked by isolation and a lack of economic opportunities. The harsh climate, with temperatures soaring to 50 degrees Celsius in the summer, frequent sandstorms and occasional floods, further exacerbates challenges facing the refugees, such as limited access to necessities and health risks.

Food insecurity is a dire issue, with nearly 90% of the “Sahrawi refugees either food insecure or vulnerable to food insecurity.” A 2022 Joint Assessment Mission and Nutrition survey by the World Food Programme (WFP) reveals a worsening nutrition crisis. The prevalence of life-threatening wasting among children aged 6 months to 59 months has risen from 7.6% in 2019 to 10.7% in 2022. More than half of these children suffer from anemia, two-thirds do not receive the diverse diet needed for healthy development and nearly a third suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Furthermore, the refugees’ heavy dependence on international humanitarian aid, severe living conditions and food shortages have forced many households to cut back on health expenditures or sell off their livestock. Inadequate infrastructure severely hampers the delivery of essential services such as education and health care, leading to high child and maternal mortality rates and adversely affecting the population’s overall health and well-being.

Additionally, employment opportunities within the camps are minimal, leaving a third of Sahrawi refugees without any income and 60% economically inactive. The extreme climate and remoteness of the camps have curtailed traditional income sources like agriculture and livestock rearing. This is particularly detrimental to young people who, due to economic frustrations, may resort to high-risk activities such as smuggling and theft.

The Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan

In response to the myriad of challenges the Sahrawi refugees face, in 2003, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched the interagency Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan (SRRP). This initiative, requiring a total of $214 million, represents the first unified effort to address the needs of the Sahrawi refugee population. The plan brings together 28 partners, including the Algerian Red Crescent and the University of Madrid, to deliver coordinated humanitarian assistance.

The SRRP

The SRRP outlines several key priorities, including ensuring refugee protection and legal assistance and providing essential services such as food, shelter, health care and education. The plan also aims to improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions in the camps, which are critical given the harsh desert environment.

In addition to these immediate needs, the SRRP aims to support livelihoods by providing essential supplies, vocational training and income-generating activities. This includes the distribution of 1,500 high-quality cooking stoves and 3,000 bales of second-hand clothes from UNIQLO. On the health care front, the plan addresses the prevalent malnutrition with supplementation, including iron and folic acid, systematic deworming and outpatient care for particularly severe cases.

Education is another focal point, with the SRRP aiming to improve the quality of instruction by training teachers and educational personnel. By tackling a broad scope of issues and closely coordinating with the Algerian government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other United Nations (U.N.) agencies, the SRRP aims to deliver a comprehensive and effective response, ideally addressing the immediate and long-term needs of the Sahrawi refugee population.

Challenges and Way Forward

A U.N. press briefing from November 2023 confirms that, although the plan has received some donor support, operations remain underfunded. The U.N. actively calls for additional contributions to implement the plan and fully sustain refugee humanitarian assistance. The success of the fundraising efforts is still being determined, but the plan is set to run through 2024 and 2025. By the end of this period, it will be evident whether these initiatives have provided the support needed to improve the livelihoods of the Sahrawi people and move them closer toward long-term stability and self-reliance.

– Asma Issa

Asma is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Fight to End Malnutrition in Ethiopia

The Fight to Better Malnutrition in EthiopiaMalnutrition has been a significant problem in Ethiopia, starting with the 1983 hunger shortage that left many without food and nutritional value. Then in the early 2020s, Ethiopia suffered from a severe drought which caused almost 6.8 million livestock to pass away. As a country that heavily depends on agriculture, drought has caused an increase in food insecurity and malnutrition, according to Disaster Philanthropy. Crop production also fell due to pests that roamed the farms, leading to a downfall in maize production from 25 million tons to more than four million tons. However, three organizations have currently been on the road to improving malnutrition in Ethiopia.

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has primarily been working with the government to resolve this issue. It supports the government’s nutrition program called the Health Extention Program which was developed in 2004. The main focus of this program is to increase awareness about nutrition actions in households, limit bacteria with vaccinations and promote healthy behaviors. In addition, it allows for family health services, putting the spotlight on helping adolescent nutrition. 

UNICEF also works with the pilot program that allows for a new innovative way of growing crops, which has been especially beneficial in preventing damage from sudden hits by natural disasters. Through this new method in hydroponic vegetable farming, malnutrition rates have gone down, especially for children. This practice allows farmers to grow food with little soil and water, perfect for situations of extreme drought. Not only did self-sufficiency increase through this process, allowing farmers to cultivate year-round, but it also has made farming practices sustainable, as this process promises generations of this usage.

United States Agency for International Development

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has accomplished many tasks involving increasing nutrition access. Feed the Future movement which aims to end world hunger is one of its most influential successes. This organization not only aims to increase the amount of agricultural produce, but it also seeks to increase wages earned through their produce to increase their income and buy products to lift them out of poverty. 

In Ethiopia specifically, there are three main steps that USAID and Feed the Future have been following to aid poverty. The three steps are as follows:

  1. Supporting sustainable agricultural growth with an increase in market accessibility, providing further job opportunities and creating a range of crops and cattle to make use of.
  2. Increasing the flexibility in agriculture by modernizing their system’s ability to adapt to new conditions, especially with natural disasters and also bettering the organization of different resources.
  3. Improving nutrition, particularly for the more vulnerable demographics like women and children, by implementing new ways to address and target specific malnutrition problems like providing financial literacy. 

Results for Development

Results for Development (R4D) is a global nonprofit that works with government officials and social leaders to create grand changes in health and nutrition. R4D has aimed to integrate wasting treatment into the health care routine of Ethiopia, especially when wasting has become one of the largest mortality causes for small children.

By incorporating ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), R4D has begun to address the severe underweight problem caused by malnutrition. But even though this product is made with high quality and is cost-effective, it is not widely available to minorities. This issue is currently on the road to becoming resolved through market shaping which would introduce more access to RUTFs. Ethiopia is one of the countries that has access to this solution through R4D. This organization is looking to increase funding for RUTF to increase its presence in markets and create a set of cost-effective recipes. 

Looking Forward

Malnutrition is a heavily prevalent issue in Ethiopia, with more than 5 million children in Ethiopia suffering. However, through actions provided by these three organizations, UNICEF, USAID and R4D, malnutrition is on its way to being tackled in this country. 

– Linda Yoonseo Lee

Linda is based in Phoenix, AZ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Olive Kids Foundation Supports Displaced Palestinian Children

Displaced Palestinian ChildrenThe United Nations (U.N.) confirms a rise of more than 155% in violations against children in Israel and Palestine. The effects of the October 7 attack and the push for emancipation of the Gaza Strip since 1949 have sparked conflict. Despite multiple ceasefire attempts in Gaza, more than one million Palestinian children had been displaced by December 6 and more than 13,800

The situation in Gaza remains critical. Millions have fled, but those civilians who continue to live in the northern side of the Gaza Strip are surrounded by rubble, limited access to electricity and food and water shortages, which the U.N. reports are on the brink of famine. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), about nine in 10 Palestinians are displaced, with children making up half of the estimated 1.9 million people affected. Furthermore, this displacement leads to separation, loss of property, abuse, exploitation and a lack of psychosocial support. Many displaced families struggle with the high costs of frequent relocations.

The Olive Kids Foundation

Amid this turmoil, the Olive Kids Foundation stands as a beacon of hope, providing essential support to the most vulnerable. Here’s how it is making a difference:

  • Child Sponsorship: A Lifeline for Orphaned Children: Orphaned children under the Olive Kids Association receive sponsorship from donors to cover their living expenses in Al-Amal. Additionally, 40% of the funds go toward their higher education, accessible once they turn 18. The foundation has successfully raised $90,000, ensuring these children have a stable future and access to quality education.
  • Medical Aid: Life-Saving Surgeries and Training: Olive Kids facilitates medical missions by sending Australian pediatric surgeons to local Palestinian hospitals and shelters. These missions include performing complex surgeries and training local medical professionals. In partnership with the Children First Foundation, severely injured Palestinian children are brought to Australia for life-changing surgeries. Additionally, the program provides immediate medical relief and builds local capacity through skill transfer.
  • Nutrition Initiative: Combating Malnutrition: Years of blockades have led to widespread malnutrition among Palestinian children. Furthermore, the recent conflict has worsened the situation, making nutritional support more critical. In response, Olive Kids has implemented a comprehensive nutrition initiative in its local orphanage, focusing on improving dietary habits. This program provides balanced meals and educates orphans, their families and staff about healthy eating practices.
  • Education: Building a Brighter Future: Olive Kids supports a range of educational initiatives to ensure that displaced children receive a well-rounded education. The Girls P/E Teacher program funds salaries for physical education teachers and provides sports kits, encouraging healthy social activities. Additionally, a supplementary program helps children with learning difficulties, offering specialized teaching methods to expand their skills.
  • Scholarships: Empowering the Next Generation: To encourage more Palestinian students to enter the medical field, Olive Kids offers scholarships. This initiative has seen a significant increase in graduates since its inception, with only three medical students graduating in 2019. The scholarship program has since expanded, providing crucial financial support and educational opportunities for aspiring medical professionals.

Making a Lasting Impact

The Olive Kids Foundation’s alumni often return to assist other children in similarly dire situations, creating a cycle of support and empowerment. Through their continuous efforts, the foundation aims to raise more donations to support displaced Palestinian children during this ongoing crisis.

– Lydie Udofia

Lydie  is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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TebuTebu: Changing Lives With Peanut Butter

TebuTebuEdith Ndebele, a single mother from Zimbabwe, has changed her life using peanut butter. Using a metal drum in a junkyard in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, Ndebele has been producing peanut butter for her local community to support herself and her children and has since gone on to start her own company, TebuTebu Enterprises.

Why Is Peanut Butter the Answer?

As has been discovered, peanut butter can be used as a powerful weapon against global hunger, a strategy already implemented successfully in Malawi. Dr. Mark Manary recognized this potential and put his theory to the test. He observed a 95% success rate among his patients by feeding starving children fortified peanut butter. Peanut butter does not require cooking or refrigeration, is easy to transport and has a much longer shelf life than other foods for treating starvation. It is calorically dense, contains zinc and protein and is easy to digest.

Doctors even believe that allergies will not be an issue if children are exposed to peanuts at an early age. These factors present an irrefutably convincing case for the potential of peanut butter in the struggle against starvation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized this potential and declared it a valuable treatment for malnutrition.

TebuTebu Enterprises

In 2021, amid the COVID pandemic, Ndebele was a single mother struggling to support her children. By 2024, she will own her own company and serve as the chair of a group of female entrepreneurs. She transformed her life using peanut butter. To improve her children’s lives, she began grinding and roasting peanuts to produce peanut butter to sell to her community.

Using a metal drum heated by firewood, she perfected her recipe. She can now produce peanut butter just the way her customers like it. Her product is available in various-sized containers. Ndebele carefully selects ingredients to maximize quality; she chooses the best peanuts to retain the iconic golden color.

TebuTebu Enterprises (named after her youngest son Teboho) also produces detergent due to her peanut butter success, providing the family with a steady income thanks to Ndebele’s efforts. The World Food Programme (WFP) noticed Ndebele’s innovation and donated a new roasting drum, allowing her to streamline production by cutting cooking time in half, saving both time and firewood. Not only has she turned her own life around, but she is also providing her community with a substance that has been proven to curb starvation.

In urban areas in Zimbabwe, only 10.4% of children receive the minimum nutrition they need, making Ndebele’s operation all the more critical.

The Problem of El Niño

El Niño, caused by the routine warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean, occurs once every seven years. It hit Zimbabwe and surrounding countries halfway through 2023, impacting rain cycles and prompting the governments of Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia to declare a national emergency. Like many, Ndebele has been affected by this phenomenon.

The lack of rainfall has created hardships for farmers, impacting peanut production. As a result, Ndebele has had to import peanuts from Zambia, leading to higher prices due to rising costs. Financial difficulties have forced her to reduce her workforce, letting go of one employee. Despite these challenges, Ndebele remains committed to improving her community’s lives and securing a better future for her children.

Summary

Despite the challenges posed by El Niño, Ndebele’s peanut butter production has been vastly beneficial for all parties involved. She has supported her children, lifted them out of poverty and provided her customers with a product that has been crucial in delivering vital nutrients. With the help of the WFP, Ndebele has changed her life and positively impacted her community using peanut butter.

– Molly Ralph

Molly is based in Dorset, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Practical Action’s VINES project in Kassala and Blue Nile

VINES projectIn the border regions of Kassala and Blue Nile in Sudan, food insecurity both results from and exacerbates conflict. In Blue Nile, 46% of children under 5 suffer from malnutrition. To combat this, Practical Action launched the ‘Vegetables for Income, Nutrition and Employment in Sudan’ (VINES) project in November 2023. With a budget of $500,000, the project aims to boost the productivity of small farmers by increasing agricultural production and improving local market solutions. VINES project manager, Abdallah Adam, explains that the project focuses on beneficiaries who previously lacked access to advisory services, improved vegetable seeds and knowledge of good agricultural practices.

The Demographics of Kassala and Blue Nile

The states of Kassala and Blue Nile in Sudan, heavily affected by ongoing conflict, host hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). This large population exacerbates existing food insecurity and malnutrition challenges, further complicated by climate change, conflict and erratic weather patterns. To address these ongoing issues, 6,000 small farmers in these states are participating in a project aimed at minimizing obstacles to food production. Engaging the wider community is also essential for educational and peacebuilding efforts, as part of the broader objective to improve local conditions.

The Approach

The strategy focuses on empowering farmers and enhancing market systems to boost the yield and resilience of local vegetable crops. This will be achieved through the following actions:

  • Collaboration and community engagement. The strategy enhances initiatives such as Farmers Field Schools (FFS), home gardens and vegetable nurseries to educate farmers and equip them with essential skills. It also prioritizes the production of organic fertilizers from local materials to maximize productivity and sustainability.
  • Strengthening the seed system. Enhanced and certified seeds are provided to farmers, enabling access to high-quality options that improve crop yields and overall agricultural productivity. To ensure affordability and productivity, vegetable seeds are often subsidized for smallholder farmers.
  • Addressing post-harvest losses. Practical Action has established aggregation points, drying facilities and cooling storage units to maintain the quality of produce. The organization is also developing post-harvest practices and technologies to prepare for the next harvest.
  • Improving farmers’ market access. This is done by connecting farmers with other farmers and buyers to create a collaborative environment that facilitates the exchange of knowledge and improves productivity, particularly in combating climate hazards. Vegetable Business Networks (VBNs) are crucial for strengthening market systems, both in terms of input and output markets and are particularly effective in fostering the sale of fresh vegetable produce.

The Significance

In May 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced that food insecurity in Sudan was set to reach record levels. More than 19 million people are affected, equivalent to two-fifths of the population. Ongoing conflict and violence have caused basic food prices to skyrocket. Furthermore, this has intermittently forced the WFP to suspend its programs in Sudan during particularly violent periods. In this environment, operations like Practical Action become crucial. The organization provides continuous support and sustainable solutions to one of the world’s most malnourished regions.

Looking Ahead

The VINES project by Practical Action is a critical initiative addressing food insecurity in the conflict-affected regions of Kassala and Blue Nile in Sudan. By enhancing agricultural productivity and market access, the project aims to reduce malnutrition and improve livelihoods. As food insecurity in Sudan reaches unprecedented levels, such interventions can potentially create sustainable, long-term solutions and support vulnerable communities in the region.

– Bea Newington-Bridges

Bea is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Technology Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Food Insecurity in Laos: Agriculture for Nutrition

Food Insecurity in LaosPregnant with her third child in 2018, Ms. Sengphet, a farmer from the Long Peau village in Northern Laos, attended the Agriculture for Nutrition (AFN) program’s Farmer Nutrition School. Here, she learned about the essentials of nutrition for her children. Additionally, she heard of more opportunities from the $38.8 million initiative jointly undertaken by the World Food Program (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Lao Government.

With a $120 “Garden Grant” from the AFN, Sengphet purchased 10 chickens, feed and seeds for an at-home garden. From the initial investment, she has expanded her farm’s capacities from chicken to garlic, fish and frogs. This expansion helped her to earn up to $420 monthly since 2021. With AFN, Sengphet has grown her farm to fight food insecurity in Laos, which is faced by one in seven population members.

Malnutrition and Food Insecurity in Laos

Despite falling poverty levels, food insecurity in Laos remains a significant concern, particularly in rural areas where food shortages are twice as high as in urban regions. Three-quarters of households produce subsistence food and two-thirds of farmers grow rice exclusively. The lack of diversity contributes to malnutrition in addition to food shortage.

Limited access to nutritious food has resulted in high stunting rates among children, with 32.8% of those younger than 5 years of age affected. In some of the more impoverished provinces, this rate rises to 54%. The Lao government has prioritized tackling malnutrition by enacting the National Nutrition Strategy for 2025 and the National Nutrition Action Plan for 2021-2025. However, addressing food insecurity remains challenging due to high inflation and strong debt pressure in the past two years.

How APN Is Targeting Food Insecurity

The AFN program implements targeted initiatives to ensure sustainable food access. In 2016, the WFP, IFAD and the government launched the first phase in 400 villages across four provinces in Northern Laos. The program takes a holistic, community-based approach, emphasizing long-term self-sufficiency and various aspects of production. AFN collaborates with villages to develop road infrastructure, irrigation and market access, both with enterprises and through local market facilitation.

A significant part of AFN’s programming is its training initiatives and grants. AFN helps form and funds Agricultural Production Groups to farm selected products such as fish, poultry and vegetables. Furthermore, the program provides training for production techniques and opportunities for learning exchange via its Farmer-to-Farmer Extension Activities. These services are in addition to the Farmer Nutrition School and Garden Grant from which Sengphet benefitted.

Program Success

The first phase, which ended in 2022, has successfully met its targets to reduce food insecurity in Laos. It has reached 210,684 people, representing 92.5% of its goal. Around 57% of the people reached were women. Furthermore, it has helped bring 17,850 households out of poverty out of its targeted 21,000, defined by an income per capita of $270.

AFN’s impacts compound over time. In Nam Lee village, residents participating in a Village Development Planning session expressed a need for better road access to farmland and more profitable crops. With an AFN grant, the villagers constructed a 4km road to support their farming activities. By January 2021, this road access had increased productivity, with families generating $36,000 annually.

Sengpeut also highlights what the added income has provided for her family: “With my additional income,” she says, “I have been able to pay for my children’s education and build a new house. I have learned how to give medicine and vaccines to my animals and I am now part of making decisions in my house with my husband.”

With the success of Phase I, the three cosponsors are launching Phase II of the program. This phase expands to three additional provinces, targeting an extra 168,000 people. As Laos grapples with macroeconomic challenges, the AFN continues to offer sustainable solutions and combat food insecurity across small and medium scales, reaching the nation’s most vulnerable communities.

Final Remark

With the success of Phase I, the three co-sponsors are rolling out Phase II of the program. They have added 3 more provinces to the program, targeting an additional 168,000 people. As Laos continues to face macroeconomic challenges, the AFN provides sustainable solutions and fights food insecurity in Laos across small and medium-scales to the nation’s most vulnerable communities.

– Imme Koolenbrander

Imme is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ready to Use Therapeutic Food and Childhood Malnutrition

ready to use therapeutic foodChildhood malnutrition is a global crisis affecting millions of children younger than the age of 5. The side effects of childhood malnutrition are devastating, such as lower IQs, poor socioemotional skills, weaker immune systems and many more.

Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) has a significant impact on treating this condition. This life-saving superfood transforms how severe acute malnutrition is treated, allowing children to recover quickly and regain their health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), well-nourished children are more capable of escaping poverty as adults during the first two years of life.

Why RUTF?

Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food is a revolutionary food treatment that’s giving hope to millions of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the deadliest form of hunger. The WHO estimated in 2007 that severe acute malnutrition (SAM) accounts for around one million child deaths annually. Approximately 20 million children worldwide suffer from SAM and those affected have a mortality risk of more than nine times greater than their well-nourished peers.

RUTF is an energy-dense, micronutrient paste designed to treat severe wasting in children younger than 5. Wasting is characterized by low weight-for-height and occurs when a child does not receive enough food or adequate quality. If untreated, it significantly increases the risk of death.

History of RUTF

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the concept of RUTF was pioneered by pediatric nutritionist André Briend and food processing engineer Michel Lescanne 25 years ago. RUTF is made from powdered milk, peanuts, butter, vegetable oil, sugar and vitamins and minerals. Each sachet of RUTF provides 500 calories and essential micronutrients, allowing malnourished children to gain weight rapidly.

The invention of RUTF marked a revolution in malnutrition treatment, shifting from the traditional therapeutic feeding centers (TFCs) to home-based care. Previously, children with severe acute malnutrition needed round-the-clock care at TFCs, which were scarce and often located far from the communities they served.

This setup required mothers to leave their homes for weeks, causing lost wages and incomplete treatments. The crowded conditions at TFCs also posed infection risks and in conflict areas like Sudan, they were vulnerable to attacks. Recognizing these challenges, Briend aimed to develop a home-administered solution. His goal was to revolutionize the management of severe acute malnutrition, allowing children to receive treatment safely at home.

RUTF’s Role in Community-Based Management

RUTF is vital for community-based management of children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition who still have an appetite. Its two-year shelf life makes it convenient for storage and distribution. The appealing taste and easy digestibility ensure that children readily consume it. Most importantly, RUTF requires no preparation. Children can directly have this nutrient-dense food from the packet, making it safe and reducing the risk of contamination.

According to UNICEF, the treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition was traditionally in facilities where they received specialized therapeutic milk under strict regimens. However, many children arrived too late or could not access these centers due to distance, cost and lengthy treatment durations. RUTF has enabled community-based management and transformed it into a home-based treatment. Its single-dose foil sachets do not require refrigeration or mixing with water, making it practical and safe for home use. This innovation has significantly improved treatment outcomes and accessibility.

Success of RUTF

RUTF and the community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) have proven to be powerful. In emergencies like famine, child mortality rates typically range from 20% to 30%. However, with the combined use of CMAM and RUTF, these rates have dropped to 4.5%, saving countless lives. A notable pilot program in Darfur, Sudan, treated 25,000 acutely malnourished children with similarly positive results.

From 2002 to 2006, Concern Worldwide implemented a large-scale pilot in Malawi, yielding excellent treatment, coverage, community acceptance and cost-effectiveness outcomes. This success led to the publication of the CTC field manual in 2006 and a joint recognition by WHO, UNICEF and the World Food Programme in 2007, establishing CMAM as a global best practice. Today, millions of acutely malnourished children have been successfully treated with RUTF through the CMAM approach. In South Sudan, UNICEF and partners treat nearly a quarter of a million children annually with RUTF, achieving a treatment recovery rate of 95% and averting potential deaths.

Challenges in Distributing RUTF

UNICEF plays a pivotal role in the global distribution of RUTF, procuring and delivering 75-80% of the world’s supply. It ensures that RUTF reaches the most vulnerable children, even in challenging environments. Large-scale operations by UNICEF have saved countless lives during emergencies.

Despite its success, RUTF is not universally available. Many countries do not include RUTF in their essential medicines lists and treatment for severe wasting is often poorly integrated into routine health services. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts have increased the cost of RUTF, further limiting its availability.

Conclusion

Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food has proven to be a lifesaving superfood, transforming the treatment of severe acute malnutrition and saving millions of children’s lives. Its success underscores the need for increased global efforts to ensure all children have access to this essential treatment.

– Sumaiya Sultana

Sumaiya is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Human Appeal Is Helping Alleviate Poverty in Somalia

Human AppealSomalia is enduring civil war and one of its worst droughts in 40 years, following a fifth consecutive failed rainy season. Most of Somalia’s livelihoods depend on agriculture and the current drought has devastated crops and agricultural activities. As a result, up to 1.8 million children are facing malnutrition. Additionally, approximately 40% of the population, around 6.6 million people, are experiencing acute food insecurity, meaning they urgently need sufficient food. Despite Somalia’s extreme difficulties, there is hope in the fight against poverty.

Human Appeal is a global nonprofit organization that has been combating poverty for more than 30 years. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of people around the world who are living in poverty. The organization’s slogan, “Whoever saves one life- it is as if he had saved mankind entirely,” summarizes its mission to alleviate poverty worldwide.

Human Appeal’s Work in Somalia

Human Appeal has been active in Somalia since 2016 and is dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups and individuals nationwide. The nonprofit is improving lives in Somalia by fighting against poverty, social injustice and natural disasters. Its work in Somalia entails providing relief and establishing self-sufficient programs that aim to invest in places experiencing higher poverty rates so that these people can find sustainable solutions and independently improve their lives.

Human Appeal is helping alleviate poverty in Somalia through various initiatives, including:

  • Distributing food parcels containing rice, flour, sugar, oil and milk powder, which can sustain families for up to a month.
  • Providing one month’s clean water to communities affected by the drought.
  • Collaborating with UNICEF to supply high-calorie treatment for malnutrition.
  • Offering shelter and nonfood items to displaced families arriving at camps in Mogadishu.

Human Appeal also addresses poverty in Somalia through sustainable efforts that aim to build a lasting future rather than merely provide temporary relief. The projects are managed by local staff, with local doctors and nurses operating hospitals. This approach focuses on reducing poverty and creating a better future for the people of Somalia.

Human Appeal has also been able to reach some of the most remote regions of Somalia, which are often the most in need of aid and struggling with extreme poverty. During these vulnerable times, the Human Appeal team provides critical assistance, saving lives and improving the quality of life for many citizens.

In 2023 alone, Human Appeal reached 287,142 people in Somalia, providing food support for more than 170,000 and health care for 98,000. The organization also provided access to clean water and improved sanitation for more than 11,000 people in the country.

Final Remark

Although much good work by Human Appeal and other aid organizations has already taken place in Somalia, the need for aid is increasing. Due to widespread drought and civil war, the demand for assistance within the country has doubled. Addressing coverage gaps and unmet needs of the affected population remains critical.

– Lachlan Wellington

Lachlan is based in Fareham, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash