Following President Paul Kagame’s call on local leaders to uproot stunting, leaders in Northern Province have embarked on a campaign to reduce the level of stunted children to 19 percent within the next two years.

According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), 41 percent of the province's children aged under five are stunted, the highest level compared to other provinces.

Speaking at a press briefing recently, Dancille Nyirarugero, the Governor of the Northern Province, said they had rallied support from stakeholders, because "there's no explanation for such a high level of stunting in our province."

"The national target is to reduce the rate of stunting to 19 percent in 2024; and as the Northern Province, we want to reach that target. With the help of the different stakeholders, we are confident that the target will be attained.”

The stakeholders include the private sector, religious leaders, non-government organisations and the media.

She said from the village level they identified malnourished children who will benefit from food supplements provided by the government. Some of children are now in health centers for treatment while others are enrolled into ECD centers.

Nyirarugero said that health centers have been encouraged to ensure pregnant mothers get a healthy diet in order to prevent from unborn babies from the risk of stunting.

While some households lack enough foodstuffs, she said, others are food secure but do not prepare a balanced diet owing to limited knowledge and poor mindset.

Partners consisting the Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) said they have all it takes to end stunting in children.

"The Northern Province is our country’s breadbasket, and stunting shouldn’t be a reality. The people should be taught how to prepare a balanced diet,” Father Augustin Nzabonimana, the JADF chairperson in Rulindo District, said.

"Different partners, particularly the Catholic Church, have enough infrastructure and skilled personnel, and with a strong coordination we can end stunting in our communities. What is lacking is joint planning, joint implementation and monitoring.”

As of 2020, the national rate of child stunting stood at 33 percent, according to NISR’s latest Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). It is projected to decline to 19 percent in 2024.