Mothers on Mivo hill, Ngozi, are happy to have a balanced diet for their children

A Swiss cooperation delegation composed by Nicolas Randin, Ambassador, Vice-Director of the Development Cooperation Department (SDC), Peter Bieler, Head of the Eastern and Southern Africa section, and Marc de Santis, Regional Director of the Office of Swiss Cooperation in Kigali, visited Swiss-funded projects in Ngozi province, Ngozi commune, Mivo hill, Mivo zone, on March 1^st, 2023.

The visit began by an information session on the implementation of the program, in the presence of John Agbor, UNICEF representative in Burundi, Housainou Tall, WFP representative, Alain Ndakoze, technical assistant at FAO, and Paul Nzeyimana, legal advisor of Ngozi governor, representing the governor.

The delegation, then headed to Mivo hill, to visit different intervention sites of the program which aims to fight malnutrition. 

The visit started on the site of key nutrition interventions for child survival and development, implemented by UNICEF. Under a shining sun, but in a relaxed and happy atmosphere, the delegation is welcomed around 2pm by mothers with their children, some breastfeeding, others playing with them. They had responded to the nutritional education, monitoring and growth promotion sessions led by light mothers (maman muco) and community health workers.

"…Since the beginning of this program on Mivo hill, we have seen a lot of changes. Today, we see less children suffering from malnutrition. Before, there were many. But now, we can see some improvement", said Francois Nduwimana, chief of Mivo hill, in his welcome note. He also pointed out that communities actively participate in malnutrition screening activities. He will also express his wish to see the program become permanent on the Mivo hill so that there are fewer illnesses caused by malnutrition. "We thank you very much, and welcome to Mivo Hill for all the time you will be spending here", he added.

The delegation was then able to attend a session of activities aimed at preventing child malnutrition. From the child's weight gain, to filling out the individual form to monitor weight growth in relation to his age, but also to the evaluation of the nutritional status using the arm circumference with the MUAC bracelet. Then, mothers spoke individually with the light mothers who gave them advice on the nutritional status and diet of their children.

The delegation then went on to the site of food security interventions implemented by FAO. The delegation got the opportunity to see fields that serve for agricultural production, but also for raising small livestock such as rabbits and goats for organic manure.

The day ended with a visit to a community mill which is at the service of the population for milling and fortifying flour. The food fortification implemented by the WFP allows the population of Mivo hill to have easier access to fortified flour which contributes to improving the diet and reducing child malnutrition.

Started in 2013, the program to fight malnutrition funded by Swiss cooperation and implemented by UNICEF, FAO, and WFP is entering its 3rd phase launched in December 2022 and which will continue until December 2025.