UNICEF: Plumpy'nut saves children's lives in Ethiopia

BORICHA, Ethiopia, 28 May 2009 Every week, mothers from the drought-affected villages of Ethiopias Boricha district bring their children to be weighed and measured at the Yirba Health Centre.

Health extension workers weigh and measure the mid-upper arm circumference, or MUAC, of the children after which they will receive their weekly ration of the ready-to-use therapeutic food Plumpynut, supplied by UNICEF with the support of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department, also known as ECHO.

In 2008, ECHO provided €3.3 million towards UNICEFs emergency nutrition response in Ethiopia. The funds helped purchase 697 tonnes of Plumpynut for approximately 70,000 children in the southern part of the country.

Plumpynut is popular with small children such as Mare because it tastes good, like a sweeter version of peanut butter. The energy-rich paste contains the right balance of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals to treat severe malnutrition. It can even be administered at home, as long as children do not have additional medical complications or serious illness.

This year, UNICEF has appealed for $36 million to address overall emergency requirements in Ethiopia including health, water, sanitation, hygiene, education and child protection with $20 million needed for the nutrition response alone.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ethiopia_49826.html

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• UNICEF
• Ethiopia
• Plumpy'nut
• ECHO
• European
• Commission
• Humanitarian
• Aid
• children