Civil society groups in joint effort against malnutrition

A coalition of civil society organisations known as Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Alliance has announced a joint campaign against malnutrition. This was during their general assembly held in Kigali on Tuesday. John Mugabe Butera, the executive director of the alliance, said the joint drive is aimed at harnessing and consolidating efforts in the fight against malnutrition. Children below five years of age have malnutrition issues, 38 per cent face stunting while 7.7 per cent were overweight in 2015 countrywide, according to the Global Nutrition report, 2015. “That is why we want to join hands and fight malnutrition among children,” Butera said. He said they need to raise awareness about nutrition. Darren Posey, the Catholic Relief Service country representative for Rwanda, noted that preventing stunting can also help break the cycle of poverty. “There is need for more collaborative efforts from development partners to eliminate malnutrition in the country,” he said. “From what we’ve seen, there has been progress in Rwanda in tackling malnutrition and the coming together of civil society groups toward this cause will only further improve the situation,” he added. Egide Tuyizere, from AEE Rwanda, said that civil society can train health workers and local leaders about malnutrition. “SUN Alliance has helped to facilitate rich and concerted advocacy activities to scaleup nutrition, including organising knowledge exchange within and outside the country,” Tuyizere said. He cited poor mentality among some citizens among the challenges that undermine efforts against malnutrition. Tuyizere called on everyone to engage in the fight against malnutrition since it affects national development. Established in 2014, SUN Alliance Rwanda is an umbrella organisation that brings together 80 civil society organisations engaged in promoting nutrition in the country. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Civil society groups in joint effort against malnutrition