Child Malnutrition Remains Unacceptably High In Niger, Un-Backed Survey Shows
Images of the gaunt eyes and scrawny bodies of Niger's children shocked the world into action earlier this year,
bringing aid that saved 90 per cent of the more than 300,000 children treated, but the impoverished country’s youngsters
still face high levels of malnutrition, a new United Nations-backed survey warns.
Malnutrition rates range from 9 to 18 per cent and inadequate infant and young child feeding practices are likely
causes, according to the survey conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the government of Niger, the
United States Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Niger experienced a serious food crisis in 2005 following erratic rainfall, locust invasions, and decreased access to
food and basic health services during the 2004 growing season.
Over 300,000 malnourished children received treatment thanks to the Government, UNICEF and more than 20 international
and national non-governmental organizations, with support from the international community.
“We are proud of this unique accomplishment,” Noel Marie Zagre, Head of Nutrition Section at UNICEF Niger, said, noting
that 90 per cent of treated children recovered. “But the results of the survey we conducted confirm that the work is far
from over.”
The crisis exacerbated the country’s existing problem of structural malnutrition and the survey results will be used by
the Government, UNICEF and their partners to plan nutrition programmes for 2006.
The survey helped identify underlying causes of malnutrition. Cultural factors and social behaviours, such as inadequate
infant and young child feeding practices, have a major impact on structural malnutrition. Taboos about certain foods
such as eggs and fish complicate the development of healthy feeding habits. In certain societies, for instance, eggs are
forbidden for a child because it is believed he will become a thief.
Thus, strategies must include in-depth studies on this issue and programmes for behaviour change to effectively fight
malnutrition. “Structural reduction of Niger’s high malnutrition rates will come only as these roots are addressed long
term. We can settle for nothing less,” UNICEF country representative Karim Adjibade said.
An action plan based on the survey results includes: continued support for Government and NGO therapeutic feeding
centres; prevention through behaviour change, improved feeding practices and systematic de-worming; support for
providing access to free basic health care for children under five; and support for Government efforts to design a
national nutrition policy based on mid- and long-term perspectives.