Nutrition
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Since 2016, Cameroon has been struggling with a socio-political crisis in the North-West and South-West Regions of Cameroon and the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North.
The 2024 Humanitarian Needs Overview indicates that more than 635,000 persons are in need of Nutritional intervention, 72% of which are children and 65% of which are female.
Access to health care remains a major concern particularly for IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) due to long distances, financial constraints and insecurity. Furthermore, the weak disease surveillance system has led to delayed detection and weak responses to epidemics, giving rise to repeated cholera and measles outbreaks. According to the Cadre Harmonisé analysis of October 2023, 273,568 people in the North-West (10%) and 234,912 people in the South-West (19%) are facing acute food insecurity (phases 3 to 5). Given the anticipated persistence of key malnutrition drivers—food insecurity, morbidity, poor sanitation, and recurrent internal displacement, the nutrition situation is likely to stagnate or worsen in 2024.
In the North-West, South-West, West and Littoral Regions more than 240,400 people including children under five and pregnant and lactating women will need nutritional services. Up to 60,700 boys and girls under 5 years are likely to develop acute malnutrition in these regions including 30,500 with severe acute malnutrition. While the 2023 National Survey on Food Security and Nutrition indicates GAM rates of 2.8 per cent and 3.7 per cent in the North-West and South-West regions respectively, data from routine Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) screenings suggests the existence of localized areas with heightened malnutrition risks at lower administrative levels. Populations living in remote areas/bushes, IDPs in urban/peri-urban areas, and host households/communities are at risk of malnutrition due to food insecurity, water scarcity, poor sanitation, and overstretched basic social services (HNO 2024).
OBJECTIVE
To improve the nutritional status of children 6-59 months and pregnant women through the provision of vitamin supplementation (Vitamin A, Albendazole, and multivitamins) and Blanket Supplementary Feeding program for children 6-23months and PLW in 7 Health Districts in North-West Region (NWR).
INTERVENTION STRATEGY
- Preventing Acute Malnutrition in children 6-23 months and PLW through Blanket Supplementary Feeding Program for 8 months in 4 health districts (Kumbo East, Kumbo West, Ndu and Nkambe) in NWR.
- Provision of Vitamin A supplementation and Albendazole to 5000 vulnerable children under 5 years for 6 months in 4 health districts (Wum, Nkambe, Batibo, Ndop) in the NWR
- Provision of multi vitamin supplements to 1200 vulnerable pregnant women for 6 months in 4 health districts (Wum, Nkambe, Batibo, Ndop) in the North West Region.
TESTIMONIAL
1. Hamatou Maimatou
My name is Hamatu Maimatou, a lactating mother I want to share my experience with super cereals. Initially, my child would refuse the food given to her, which was a cause for concern. However, since I started feeding her with super cereals, I have noticed a significant change in her eating habits. She now eats well and desires more food. Additionally, she has been gaining weight consistently, which is a positive sign of improved nutrition. I am grateful to the World Food Programme (WFP) and SHUMAS for their support and the positive impact they have had on my child's health and well-being.
2. Jessica
My name is Jessica, and I find myself as an internally displaced person (IDP), constantly on the move in search of shelter. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have become a beneficiary of this food program. The impact it has had on the health of my child, as well as my other children who consume it, has been nothing short of extraordinary. I am overwhelmed with gratitude towards SHUMAS and WFP for their unwavering support, and I can only express my heartfelt thanks. The provision of this food has been a great blessing in our lives, and I am truly grateful for the assistance we have received.
GALLERY
(Cooking Demonstration)
(Infant MUAC Screening)
(Distribution of CSB+)
(Vitamin A supplementation)
(Beneficiary with her ration)
(Pregnant woman with her ration)