We are working in some of the most vulnerable and impoverished parts of the world, where lack of access to nourishing, affordable food and clean water, is of critical concern. Escalating levels of humanitarian crises including conflicts, climate change impacts, epidemics, and persistent global hunger have affected millions of children and women, putting them at risk of malnutrition.
Health and Nutrition
Help save a hungry child from starvation
According to recent research, half of all children under 5 suffering from malnutrition live in Asia and Africa where, in places, disruptions in vital health and nutrition services, as well as challenges in maintaining proper feeding, caregiving, and hygiene routines, are presenting further difficulties.
We are undertaking vital work to save and improve lives in parts of the world where access to adequate health services and nutritious food is limited. Our health and nutrition interventions focus on enhancing dietary diversity, strengthening local health systems and structures, and improving health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation practices.
We address the root causes of malnutrition by providing training and facilitating community health workers who work directly with mothers and caregivers of infants. We support community groups – mothers' groups, mens’ support groups, and nutrition and counselling groups, with the aim of strengthening support networks.
Our work on the ground with health and nutrition intitiatives encourages the growing and consumption of nourishing foods and promotes education in nutrition and healthy practices.
In cooperation with local governments, we have rehabilitated and constructed water and sanitation facilities in schools and health centres.
Over the past year, our health and nutrition-focused projects directly benefitted almost 5,500 people with access to clean, safe water and/ or toilet facilities.
We also completed implementation of our 6-year AIM Health Plus Programme in Uganda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Mauritania. The programme, funded by Irish Aid, directly benefited 109,336 pregnant women and 229,006 children under two years of age. Approximately two million people also indirectly benefitted from improved nutrition and health services.
1 of 6 children
(roughly 100 million) in developing countries is underweight.
66 million
primary school-age children attend classes hungry across the developing world.
500,000 children
250,000 to 500,000 children go blind every year from vitamin A deficiency.
We are making an impact. Some of the achievements from our recent health and nutrition programming has included: 424,378 people having improved health and nutrition outcomes. (including 300,189 children)
Malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months reduced significantly in Mauritania
Over 600 Community Health Workers trained and providing supervised household level support to parents and caregivers. More than 80 care and support groups facilitated to promote nutrition campaigns.
More than 180 health workers trained in the supervision of Community Health Workers
