IRIN news released an article last month announcing significant efforts are underway to improve the nutritional status of children and women across Nepal. A report from the Department of Health and UNICEF released in early March found that “50 percent of Nepali children are malnourished.”  More than a quarter of the country’s women were found to be malnourished, and poor maternal health among Nepali mothers has been shown to directly contribute to diminished child nutrition.

The Nepali government has been criticized by a number of NGOs and nutrition workers for not doing enough to educate women and health workers about nutrition, especially in the most remote areas. Struck by the results of the March report, officials say a combined effort by a range of ministries is underway to improve maternal and child nutrition in Nepal. The World Bank is providing significant new funding for nutrition, to be used within the Nepal Health Sector Program, which aims to “expand access to and the use of essential health care services in Nepal.” Still, officials say challenges lie ahead at the local level and target area-focus programs at community-level remain absent.

Read the full article>> 

Read about Vitamin Angels’ efforts in the remote district of Humlu, Nepal>>