Food security for women and children in Nepal

It is important and right that the rights and status of women are continually discussed.

And also that people all over the world are committed to promoting equality in all areas.

Because what we may take for granted in terms of equality here fails in other places in the world on very basic grounds: for example, food security for mothers and their children in Nepal. Here we are taking action together with the UN World Food Programme.

It is important and right that the rights and status of women are continually discussed.

And also that people all over the world are committed to promoting equality in all areas.

Because what we may take for granted in terms of equality here fails in other places in the world on very basic grounds: for example, food security for mothers and their children in Nepal. Here we are taking action together with the UN World Food Programme.

The situation of the people in Nepal

When we think of Nepal, we may think of Buddha or Mount Everest, but in addition to its cultural and scenic diversity, Nepal is also one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. Inadequate infrastructure, particularly in rural and remote areas of the highest country in the world, exacerbates food insecurity in the country. The reality is that around 5 million people in Nepal live below the poverty line.

How does this happen?

The country and its population are still suffering from the consequences of a long-standing authoritarian regime that ended in 1951. This was followed by repeated protests and changes of government, which culminated in a 10-year civil war. In this unstable situation, many people lost family members and their material resources.

A severe earthquake followed in 2015, which claimed more lives and severely damaged the infrastructure in particular, which also affected supplies. And like many other poor countries around the world, the country has recently been hit hard not only by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also by the effects of the war in Ukraine.

Partnership with the UN World Food Programme

We are trying to support the UN World Food Programme , which is working to combat hunger around the world. WFP's aid is financed exclusively through voluntary contributions from companies, governments and individuals and is available wherever people are affected by conflict, disasters or the effects of climate change. Thanks to its extensive experience in coordination and logistics, WFP distributes more than 15 billion food rations every year.

These are effective and really helpful dimensions to which every purchase of a share snack contributes. For every snack sold, 10 cents goes to the World Food Program and supports local helpers in the distribution of meals. Since 2018, we have been able to distribute 30 million meals to more than 1 million people worldwide. As part of the Nepal project, we have already distributed more than 7.5 million meals for more than 5,700 children and mothers.

The special nutritional needs of women

Globally, women's diets are influenced by a number of things, including food access and affordability, gender inequality, and social and cultural norms that can limit women's ability to make decisions about their diet and care.

No phase of life influences physical and mental health as much as the first 1000 days of a human life. This phase begins in the womb and that is why it is all the more important to support expectant mothers with rich meals.

During pregnancy, poor nutrition with a lack of essential nutrients such as iodine, iron, folate, calcium and zinc can lead to anemia, pre-eclampsia, bleeding and death in the mother. A UNICEF estimate found that more than 20 million newborns are affected by low birth weight each year.

To prevent this, the WFP is distributing emergency food in the form of fortified cereals that can be cooked into a nutritious porridge.

This creates food security

Improving food security can even have a positive multiplier effect in the long term. A healthy child who is not hungry or ill can learn better, develop more freely and may therefore get a better-paid job, which in turn influences the opportunities for that person and his or her entire family.

Why do women and children in Nepal suffer most from malnutrition? Nepal has made dramatic progress in maternal and child health over the past few decades, reducing malnutrition from 57 percent in 1996 to 33 percent in 2016. Maternal and infant mortality rates have similarly declined, but this progress has largely stagnated in recent years. While food insecurity has worsened globally, women and girls are at increased risk of hunger and malnutrition because they are often the last and least to eat in their households when food is scarce. This trend has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to a significant increase in malnutrition rates.

In 2022, WFP reached over 100,000 women and children with malnutrition prevention and treatment programs.

Why is nutrition for women during pregnancy so important for the future life of the child?

Good nutrition during pregnancy and in the first years of a child's life lays the foundation for a healthy future. Proper nutrition is associated with increased safety of pregnancy and birth, including good brain development, a stronger immune system and a lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease) later in the child's life. Poor nutrition during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth or stillbirth with low birth weight, wasting and delayed development in the children.

How do the health trainings work? What is important here?

Health training is critical to deliver quality health and nutrition services. In Nepal, the general health training packages are delivered in cascading modules at federal, provincial and local levels. The training for health facility staff and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) at community level equips them with the knowledge, skills and attitude to deliver quality services.

What exactly are the ingredients in the cereal porridge that is distributed in the project?

Children participating in the WFP supplementary feeding programme receive a special cereal mix prepared at home. The porridge is very effective because it contains mixtures of ground cereals and beans enriched with micronutrients. The cereal mix contains 63 percent wheat flour and 25 percent soybeans, mixed with 10 percent sugar and 0.7 percent vitamins and minerals. In Nepal, only 30 percent of children under 5 years of age consume a minimum acceptable diet.

What positive effects can be seen through the provision of food and health training?

In Nepal, WFP provides nutritious food and provides door-to-door advice on various issues related to dietary habits and health through trained health personnel.

They are also useful in developing and implementing various interventions that can combat food insecurity, prevent diet-related diseases, reduce food waste and improve the nutritional status of young mothers and children.

Our contribution to SDG 2 - Zero Hunger

With this partnership, we can contribute to the fulfillment of SDG 2 - Zero Hunger . It aims to achieve a world without hunger by 2030. A huge goal to which everyone can contribute.

For example, by supporting aid organizations or buying shared snacks. But shopping at local farmers' markets and making conscious, sustainable food choices also have a positive impact. This can also prevent food waste. Local food sharing stations are also a great way to share your own supplies with other people.

But participating in social media discussions on the topic and raising awareness for this goal can also be a valuable contribution to ending hunger in the world.

So let’s do good, talk about it and inspire even more people.