Nutrition situation
Under five stunting (%)
23.8
Under five overweight (%)
1.5
Anaemia in women 15-49 years (%)
48.9
Under five wasting (%)
5
Low birth weight (%)
16.1
0 to 5-month-old exclusive breastfeeding (%)
64.3
Adolescent overweight (%)
Male: 6
/ Female: 13.5
Adult overweight (%)
Male: 19.6
/ Female: 35.8
Adult obesity (%)
Male: 3.9
/ Female: 12.5
Adult diabetes (%)
Male: 7.3
/ Female: 7
COVID-19 snapshot
Despite its status as a regional aviation hub, the country has been relatively lightly impacted by the pandemic, with 2,200 cases and 52 deaths. The government adopted various measures that caused disruptions to the food system, but these were eased between June and August. A specific plan for nutrition was developed as part of the response.
Institutional transformations 2019-2020
Bringing people together into a shared space for action
While awaiting adoption of the draft decree on creation of the multisectoral platform, a task force is bringing together various nutrition actors, including some officially nominated by their organisations. Some new members have joined (Ministry of Grassroots Development and Catholic Relief Services). Three meetings have been held to establish a reporting template for activities implemented by the various actors, pre-approve the report on the Optima Nutrition study, and select the interventions to be included in the mapping of nutrition actors and interventions.Ensuring a coherent policy and legal framework
The budget for the multisectoral strategic nutrition plan has been prepared and validated. The draft legislation on the school canteens policy was adopted in July 2020.The draft decree on the marketing of infant and young child feeding products has been prepared. An inter-ministerial order has been issued to regulate the import, production, transport, storage, marketing, use and control of iodised salt. Another order has been issued on the creation, structure, powers and functions of the National Committee for Food Fortification.
Aligning actions around common results
The Common Results Framework was integrated into the multisectoral nutrition plan validated in October 2018 and budgeted in October 2019. Priority actions identified in the multisectoral strategic plan have been translated into the operational plan and been implemented in each sector.A template based on the Common Results Framework has been created to enable each sector to report its activities/results. Evaluation reports exist for the sectoral plans but not in a standardised form. These reports are shared between the main nutrition sectors/actors.
Financial tracking and resource mobilisation
There are still no nutrition-specific budget lines within sectoral ministries. External allocations, particularly from partners, are recorded in their sectoral action plans but are often not allocated on time. The Optima Nutrition study will assess the costs of particular nutrition interventions and identify efficient nutrition interventions.2020-2021 Priorities
- Complete mapping of nutrition interventions and actors.
- Advocate for signature of the decree establishing the platform.
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