Food security in the Great Lakes Region - Nutrition

Project completed

The program addresses malnutrition by piloting a coordinated multi-stakeholder approach of the four UN agencies UNICEF, WHO, WFP and FAO together with the two Governments of Rwanda and Burundi. The activities will take place in two districts of Rwanda (Nyamagabe and Rutsiro) and one province of Burundi (Ngozi) where food insecurity and poverty are at highest level. The focus is on the reduction of chronic malnutrition of children under five and pregnant and lactating mothers.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Burundi
Democratic Republic Congo
The Great Lakes Region
Rwanda
Agriculture & food security
Health
Agricultural development
Basic nutrition
Health education
Primary health care
15.04.2013 - 31.10.2017
CHF  11’697’500
Background

Aweil East County in NBeG (Northern Bahr el Ghazal State) is situated at the contentious border area between Sudan and South Sudan. NBeG has a population size of 353,351 people. It received the highest returnees and is expecting about 20,000 (17.2% of the all returnees coming to South Sudan). Aweil East is characterized by high malnutrition rates with 28.7% and 6% Global Acute Malnutrition and Severe Acute Malnutrition respectively. Chronic underproduction in agriculture in NBeG State contributes to widespread food insecurity. Households are not able to produce at a level that sustains their household needs. Opportunities for additional income generation are limited. The current status of water, sani-tation, and hygiene in NBeG are below satisfactory levels. 97.2% of the population practices open defecation and do not have sanitation facilities. Only 30% of the population mentioned washing their hands three or more times a day. ACF`s integrated nutrition, FSL & WASH activities will be oriented towards tackling immediate & underlying causes of malnutrition.

Objectives

Improved nutritional status among returnees and host communities in Aweil East County, in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State

Target groups

All communities or villages within the program area are direct or indirect beneficiaries from the interventions. Children under five years, pregnant and lactating mothers in the selected districts/provinces belong to the direct target group. Facility-based health care staff and community health workers will benefit through capacity and awareness training.

Medium-term outcomes

  • Morbidity and mortality associated with acute malnutrition in children U5 is reduced and knowledge on nutrition and hygiene practices is improved.
  • The food security situation of returnees and host community is improved.
  • The WASH situation of IDPs, returnees and host community is improved.
  • Results

    Results from previous phases:  

    This will be a new program of SDC Great lake region contributing to the four UN Agencies’ (UNICEF, WHO, FAO, WFP) fight against malnutrition. The collaboration is based on the UN agencies’ long standing experience in promoting food security and tackling undernutrition and their well established links with the two governments. Among others, the program will build up on previous and on-going partnerships of SDC with the WFP on food aid and school feeding.


    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    United Nations Organization (UNO)
    • United Nations Children’s Fund
    • World Food Programme
    • Rwanda: Agreement between all four UN agencies and SDC (MoU) and designated overall leadership of the joint program with the Head of the WFP for implementation of the REACH approach. Burundi: Agreement between all four UN agencies and SDC (MoU) and designated overall leadership of the joint program with the Head of the UNICEF


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    11’697’500 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    11’873’304
    Project phases Phase 3 01.12.2021 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase) Phase 2 01.07.2017 - 31.12.2021   (Completed)

    Phase 1 15.04.2013 - 31.10.2017   (Completed)