Convening Rotary International, the END Fund and Eleanor Crook Foundation for a multisectoral programme supporting mothers and children in Ethiopia

Introduction

Ethiopia has made great strides in addressing malnutrition over recent decades, particularly since the adoption of the Seqota Declaration in 2015 – an ambitious target by the Government of Ethiopia to eradicate stunting among children under two years of age by 2030. Recognising the multifaceted nature of this issue, the Ethiopian government have adopted a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to address the diverse drivers of malnutrition. To date, impressive gains have been made, including annual average reductions of approximately 3% in stunting rates observed.

However, positive gains are being threatened by persistent challenges associated with climate change, causing drought, failed harvests and spiking food prices. Compounded by localised conflict and displacement, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, hard-won gains in addressing malnutrition risk being eroded.

The Power of Nutrition is proud to collaborate with the Government of Ethiopia and other key partners including Unicef and Action Against Hunger to accelerate progress towards achievement of the Seqota Declaration and Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and ensure momentum achieved in addressing malnutrition is not lost.

Below is an overview of our collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia, Unicef and Action Against Hunger – with funding support from the END Fund, Eleanor Crook Foundation and Rotary International – to deliver improved nutrition outcomes in Ethiopia.

Our programme

The Power of Nutrition convened a wide range of partners to co-design a multisectoral programme that would tackle these challenges head-on. These include funding partners Rotary International, the END Fund and Eleanor Crook Foundation and implementers UNICEF, Action Against Hunger and the Federal Ministry of Health. 

By bringing together partners, we are not only pooling funds to create financial leverage, we’re maximising the skills and experience from the variety of sectors. Each partner has a role to play and this is a great example of one, large programme creating impact at scale for a shared goal, as opposed to having several, smaller programmes each working in isolation.

This programme harnesses our technical expertise and our partners’ skills and knowledge to create a holistic programme that strengthens health systems and increases access to vital nutrition services. As well as addressing personal nutritional needs, it also promotes the importance of healthy, balanced diets through behaviour change campaigns.

Tshey's story

Tshey, a mother in the district of Dire Dawa, has benefitted from multiple levels of interventions in the programme. By breastfeeding, Tshey recognises that the folic acid she receives from the programme helps her and her child.

I’ve learnt how to care for my child… including the benefits of breastfeeding and having different food groups

The programme also includes research funded by Eleanor Crook Foundation. Three important studies are being carried out as part of the Modified Dosage for Acute Malnutrition (MODAM) research. By the end of June 2024, 2,185 children were enrolled in the moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) study, which is 91% of the target number. In the severe acute malnutrition (SAM) study, 713 children were enrolled, which is 30% of the needed participants. So far, 1,829 MAM children (83%) have finished treatment or been discharged, and 487 SAM children (68%) have also been discharged. Additionally, 675 children have completed their six-month follow-up after treatment

To date, the programme has reached over 1.2 million children with vitamin A supplementation and deworming treatment and over 400,000 pregnant women with multiple micronutrient supplementation. So far over 1,300 local maternal and child nutrition experts have attended essential infant and young child feeding training, helping to address the shortfall and improve standards of child feeding practices. The training also includes follow-up support in the shape of counselling, giving health care workers the skills and confidence they need to support mothers and children.

Read about the first phase to our programme in Ethiopia here, you can also learn about our response to the current humanitarian crisis here.