Effective programmes in Africa for improving nutrition
Scn News 1997(14): 19-20
1997
PMID: 12321584 Document Number: 274457
This paper presents a summary of the proceedings of a symposium entitled 'Effective Programmes in Africa for Improved Nutrition' which was held at the Sub-Committee on Nutrition's (UN) 23rd session in Accra, Ghana in February 1996. The focus was on household food security. The overall aim of the symposium was to arrive at workable solutions to ensure food security and improved nutrition for all in Africa. It argues that the nutrition situation in Africa is deteriorating due to extreme poverty, severe drought and conflict, although examples of successes presented provide useful lessons. The importance of community involvement and participation is highlighted. A key factor for success is capacity building - within the community and across the whole support infrastructure. There is also a need for programme-relevant or programme-driven training. Links are identified between the issue of scaling up a programme, long term investment in nutrition and government commitment to sustainability. Inter-agency collaboration and dialogue can make an appreciable difference.