Addressing hidden hunger in indigenous communities
UNICEF implements nutrition-based cash transfer programme
Characterized by a high prevalence of stunting, children in southern Belize battle the silent epidemic of hidden hunger. Hidden hunger, or micronutrient deficiencies, occurs when the quality of food that people eat does not meet their nutrient requirements, so they are not getting the essential vitamins and minerals they need for their growth and development. Such deficiencies lead to delayed physical growth, a weakened immune system and impaired brain development.
Unfortunately, many children in southern Belize are not getting the nutrition they need to survive and thrive and are growing up stunted. Children affected by stunting are too short for their age, and their brains may never develop to their full cognitive capacity. Where you live should not determine if you have access to healthy food - especially for children who live in the remote areas of our country.
Partnerships for healthier children
With support of the Government of Korea and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Wellness, UNICEF implemented the Cash Plus Nutrition programme in 20 villages in southern Belize to aid vulnerable households. For six months families received BZD$ 200.00 monthly, through the Digi Wallet mobile application, to purchase groceries to feed their families.
In some villages, like Machakilha, access to food is impacted by their remote location and the effects of climate change on crops. Dominga is the second generation of her family to be born and raised in Machakilha village. The 31-year-old has 9 children; the youngest of which is 3 months old. As a housewife and one of the women with the most children in the village – feeding her children nutritious meals is important to her. Dominga’s family is one of the 22 who received income support through the Cash Plus Nutrition programme.
Improving food security through cash plus nutrition programme
With the funds provided Dominga was able to comfortably feed her 9 children. She shared that the children gained weight and were more active at school and in the homes.
“Being in the programme was a huge support for me. It helped me out with groceries to buy our food – especially Milo. My children liked to drink Milo. If the programme continues, I would want them to provide vegetables. We don’t get a lot of vegetables here.”
Through the programme she also received seeds to plant vegetables in her backyard garden. She participated in gardening lessons and planted sweet peppers and tomatoes. The crops have not been reaped yet but she is looking forward to seeing the fruits of her labour.
Social behaviour change for social protection
A critical part of the Cash Plus Nutrition programme included educating mothers to change the way they cook and the foods they prepared for their children. Globally, poor nutrition is passed down through generations: about half of children under 2 with stunting become stunted during pregnancy and the first six months of life. An informed mother can make better food choices to improve the health of their children.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Wellness, the families participated in nutrition counselling sessions to learn healthy methods and recipes to prepare nutritious foods for their families. Community health workers facilitated hands-on practical sessions which included cooking demonstration to teach healthier recipes with affordable ingredients and lactation coaching for breastfeeding mothers.
“I liked the sessions and how they shared with us other ways to make the food that would be good for the children. We all want our children to be healthy and grow big.”
