Over 20,000 children recover from malnutrition in Bugesera

Over 20,000 children have fully recovered from malnutrition in Bugesera District, a World Food Programme (WFP) official has said. Abdoulaye Balde, WFP’s Country Director, revealed this yesterday while handing over two cows worth Rwf1,3m to Rilima Nutrition Centre in Bugesera District. The cows had been pledged by the WFP Executive Director, Josette Sheeran, during her visit to Rwanda last year as contribution towards the eradication of malnutrition within poor communities in the district. According to Balde, the cows will produce milk to feed children and breast feeding mothers. “As WFP, we will continue to provide relevant support to reduce malnutrition among poor communities in this area,” Balde said.  According to WFP officials, the centre serves over 37,000 people from Rilima and Juru sectors. WFP provides monthly fortified supplementary food to malnourished children below five years of age and malnourished pregnant or lactating women.  “Residents here come to the health facility not only to collect fortified food provided by WFP, but also to be trained on good nutrition practices,” Balde said. “The Training focuses mainly on balanced meals, hygiene, diseases prevention and family planning.” He added that when beneficiaries of the nutrition centre in the district recover from malnutrition, they eventually become change agents in their respective communities with guidance from a trained community health worker.