Every child has the right to good nutrition. Well-nourished children have the opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential, equipping them to lead healthy, and fulfilling lives. However, the burden of malnutrition poses a serious threat to children’s survival, especially in the face of humanitarian crises. These children begin life at a significant disadvantage, and the consequences extend into adulthood, affecting their education, earning potential, and community participation.
In Border Point One village, Mandera East Sub- County, Mandera County, Kenya, Iglan Adan Kerow, a 24-year-old mother, resides with her five children. The county experienced the prolonged Horn of Africa drought from 2020 to 2023 which had a devastating impact on the communities leading to massive losses of livelihoods. This in turn reduced family nutrient intake among other impacts leading to increased cases of malnutrition especially among children under the age of five. The situation was dire, as highlighted in the September 2023 report by the Kenya IPC Acute Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition Analysis. Mandera County was classified under IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 4, indicating a critical status. Children suffering from various forms of malnutrition have weakened immunity, are prone to long-term developmental delays, and face an increased risk of mortality. Inadequate access to healthcare services, coupled with disease outbreaks that exacerbate these deficiencies, along with issues related to unsafe water and sanitation, further aggravate the malnutrition cases among these vulnerable communities.
Community health volunteer measuring Miraaj’s upper arm circumference during the mass screenings
One of Iglan’s children, Miraaj Abdihamid Hussein who is 9 months old is one of the children in Mandera who have experienced malnutrition. Despite every child deserving good nutrition for proper growth and a chance at a healthy life, Miraaj’s life began at this significant disadvantage with the burden of malnutrition posing a serious threat to her survival.
However, this intervention by NAPAD, supported by Action Against Hunger, that is aiming to provide access to essential nutrition services among vulnerable households in Mandera East and Kiliwaheri Sub-counties of Mandera County has positively impacted Miraaj’s health. Trained Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are conducting mass screenings for malnutrition among children under five, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, enabling early detection and immediate treatment.
During these screenings, Miraaj was identified as malnourished and subsequently referred to the Border Point 1 healthcare facility, where she began receiving treatment through the nutrition program at the dispensary. Within two months of being in the program, her upper arm circumference measured at the green zone, indicating a significant change in her nutritional status.
Measuring Miraaj’s upper arm circumference two months into the nutrition program
“I am immensely grateful to see my child healthy and happy again. Witnessing her regain strength fills my heart with joy and relief. It was a tough journey, but seeing my child overcome malnutrition fills me with immense gratitude. I am thankful for the support and care from NAPAD that made this possible. I look forward to brighter and healthier days ahead for my daughter.” Iglan Adan expressed her gratitude.
The Community Health Volunteers are also actively promoting new norms around feeding practices among mothers and families, cultivating a greater understanding of good nutrition-related behavior to improve nutrition outcomes for both mothers and children. The CHVs also play a crucial role in educating caregivers and mothers on accurately utilizing the color-coded mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tool to measure malnutrition, ensuring early detection at the family level, monitoring, and intervention. This initiative revolves around the expansion of the Family MUAC program.
Through this project, NAPAD, with the invaluable support of Action Against Hunger, and the dedicated community Health Volunteers, continues to make a positive impact on the lives of mothers and children in Mandera County, offering health and hope where it’s needed most.