As part of the USAID-funded Sindh Basic Education Program (SBEP) — in partnership with the Sindh Education and Literacy Department — the Sindh Community Mobilization Program (CMP) is linking schools and health facilities to fight malnutrition. The CMP also trains parents to provide their children with healthy, balanced meals.
Leon Waskin, Director, USAID – Sindh informed that USAID aims to implement a comprehensive strategy and strong coordination to fight malnutrition. Education plays a vital role in improving child health and nutrition. USAID wants to better coordinate development partners to improve child nutrition in Sindh.
Adrienne Mundorf, Policy & Advocacy Manager, Prevention Research Centre at Tulane University in New Orleans, presented findings from the University’s “Sindh Nutrition and Healthy Practices Survey”. She said that many children in Sindh suffer from malnutrition and this affects their ability to learn. The situation is worst in districts affected by the 2010 floods. USAID CMP targets providing assistance to school children aged five to nine.