The Power of Nutrition extends partnership with SIDA in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

29th April 2024: The Power of Nutrition is launching the second phase of its multisectoral programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

The $8m second phase of the programme will be implemented by UNICEF and aims to prevent chronic malnutrition through a range of complementary interventions covering nutrition, WASH, food systems and early childhood development. It will be rolled out in the provinces of Kwilu, Kasaï and South Kivu, and follows the first phase with SIDA which focused on cash transfers to address food security and nutrition.

Despite being rich in natural resources, DRC has suffered multiple complex humanitarian crises, including political instability, armed conflict, epidemics, poor infrastructure and natural disasters. This array of issues makes it a challenging place for many in the country to access adequate nutrition and health services. The multisectoral programme aims to specifically address the high levels of child stunting, where a child is underdeveloped as a result of malnutrition, bearing lifelong impacts for their mental and physical development. Currently over 40% of children in DRC are stunted; this statistic, unlike other neighbouring countries facing similar crises, has not decreased in the past 20 years.

The new work complements the government-led Multisectoral Health and Nutrition Project and includes interventions which will directly tackle malnutrition, such as promoting best practice for infant feeding, supporting women’s nutrition through antenatal care and supporting adolescent girls through iron and folic acid supplements. It also includes interventions that tackle the multiple drivers of malnutrition, such as supporting women’s cooperatives that are producing enriched foods for young children, promoting hygiene and sanitation and embracing early childhood development through promoting good parenting practices.

The programme aims to support over two million women and children with these interventions, tackling the multiple drivers of malnutrition to improve diets, wellbeing and ultimately to allow communities to thrive.

Alok Ranjan, Director of Programmes and Investments at The Power of Nutrition said:

The first phase of this programme directly tackled one of the main drivers of food and nutrition security in DRC – cash and affordability. It’s important that we now take this initiative one step further through our partnership with UNICEF, to strengthen health and nutrition services in three of the most in need provinces. Through working across sectors and systems, this programme has ambitious aims to support the Government of DRC in delivering for its people to tackle the root causes of malnutrition and break the intergenerational poverty trap.

Kerstin Karlström, Head of Cooperation at Embassy of Sweden in the Democratic Republic of the Congo said: 

DRC faces one of the most pressing and overlooked malnutrition crises in the world. We’re delighted to be partnering with The Power of Nutrition and UNICEF to tackle the widespread stunting among children – more needs to be done, and fast, and by working in collaboration with others, we can make better progress.

Grant Leaity, UNICEF Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said:

Investing in nutrition is one of the best ways we have to transform lives. This funding will allow us to develop a package of interventions that will boost the health, learning and future earning power of children, adolescents and women in Kwilu, South Kivu and Kasaï.

As malnutrition continues to be a major threat to children's futures globally, overseas aid for nutrition (currently less than 1% of government’s budgets) continues to decline. New and innovative funding is needed for nutrition now more than ever. The Power of Nutrition convenes partnerships to leverage scarce resources and co-design programmes that create impact at scale. If you’re interested in joining this life-changing programme in the DRC, contact Zubeda Karim at The Power of Nutrition at zkarim@powerofnutrition.org

ENDS

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Photo credit and caption: Anipa and others with Plumpy'Nut in Bukavu South Kivu. (c) UNICEF. Photographer Mirindi Johnson

For more information, please contact:

The Power of Nutrition: news@powerofnutrition.org

UNICEF: Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, media@unicef.org.uk

About The Power of Nutrition

The Power of Nutrition is a global not-for-profit organisation that unites businesses, governments, investors and non-profits in a joint mission to end the cycle of malnutrition. Our innovative finance and partnership model maximises nutrition investments to make resources go further.

We currently have 25 programmes in 16 countries with high rates of malnutrition across Africa and Asia. Each is aligned with national government plans, carefully designed to deliver impact at scale, and are based around a core set of evidence-based, high-impact interventions known to improve child, adolescent, and maternal nutrition as well as support wider sustainable development goals.

To date, our programmes have enabled over 157 million women, children and adolescents to access essential nutrition interventions and services that are truly changing lives. Visit https://www.powerofnutrition.org/ for more information on our work and on how to partner with us.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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