Supporting children with better nutrition in Benin

Malnutrition is a significant problem in Benin, particularly for young children. According to the World Food Programme, nearly one in three children (32%) suffer from chronic malnutrition, which can lead to stunted growth, cognitive impairment, and weakened immune systems.

The Government of Benin has committed to improving nutrition for women and children but has historically lacked the budget and expertise to fully implement its nutrition strategy and deliver adequate nutrition services. In addition, there has been limited knowledge of what makes a healthy diet and knowledge around nutrition in communities. Systemic constraints, social norms and a lack of trained health professionals all contribute to high rates of stunting.

Benin has a young population - nearly half of its citizens are under 18. This presents a huge opportunity for economic growth, but only if the challenge of malnutrition is overcome.

Our programme

The Power of Nutrition’s programme in Benin worked in partnership with UNICEF and local delivery partners to support the Government’s vision to ensure “each person enjoys a satisfactory nutritional status to participate fully in the development of an emerging Benin”. It targeted three regions with the highest burden of stunting – Alibori, Borgou, and Zou – taking a three-pillared approach to tackle undernutrition. The programme:

1. Strengthened national and decentralised planning and coordination of nutrition programming
2. Enhanced people’s understanding of exclusive breastfeeding, infant and young child feeding practices, complementary feeding and dietary diversification, focusing on pregnant women, mothers, caregivers, key community influencers and community health workers
3. Increased access to quality nutrition services for pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children

Soumanou's story

During the programme, community‑based support played a critical role in improving child nutrition outcomes.

At 23 months, Soumanou only weighed 8.1kg and could not walk. With help from a 'model mothers' group supported through this programme, Soumanou started to receive growth monitoring and regular nutritious meals. In just 12 days, her weight increased to 8.5kg. Today, she weighs 9.10kg after six weeks and can now walk.

Soumanou's mother Zime, could not be more delighted with the results and the support of the mothers' group. She had this to say:

Two months ago, my daughter was so weak. She could neither walk nor eat properly. I did not know how to feed her or what to give her to eat to grow well. Then, one day, mothers from my village invited me to participate in their group discussions. Every day we cooked together healthy, balanced meals for our children, with the help of “model mothers” who gave us advice on how to prepare a balanced meal with the four food groups available locally.

Programme completion

The Benin Nutrition Programme concluded in 2024. Over five years, it supported government‑led efforts to improve nutrition policies, strengthen service delivery, and increase access to life‑saving nutrition interventions for women and young children in areas with the highest burden of undernutrition. The programme was embedded within national systems to support longer‑term sustainability beyond The Power of Nutrition’s direct involvement.

During the programme period, the operating context in Benin became increasingly challenging. Insecurity linked to the spillover of conflict from the Sahel destabilised parts of the country, leading to displacement and the arrival of asylum seekers as well as internally displaced people. Children accounted for an estimated 60 per cent of those affected. This insecurity made implementation more difficult in some areas and increased vulnerability and nutritional need among affected populations, placing additional strain on nutrition services.

These challenges were compounded by low levels of overall financial support for nutrition programming in Benin. Throughout this period, The Power of Nutrition worked closely with UNICEF to adapt delivery approaches where possible, strengthen national capacity, and support the most effective and sustainable deployment of nutrition interventions in a complex and evolving context.

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Photo credit

Body image: UNICEF/Benin/2022