80% of the population in Uvira territory practice agriculture. Due to the insecurity caused by the war, many people will not go to their farms and this causes very many children to suffer from malnutrition – due to lack of enough food. Orphaned and displaced children are the ones who are most vulnerable. Also due to the insecurity that is found in many villages, our mothers no longer go to work, this means that there are also many children who suffer from malnutrition. The corona virus disease has also meant that currently we have many children who suffer from malnutrition. Not only children who are suffering from malnutrition, but also women and even girls over 12 years of age. This is the first time that we are experiencing malnutrition to women and girls in Uvira Territory.
MHCD has 4 nutritional centres: in Luvungi, Sange, Ndolera and Runingu which serve the children suffering from malnutrition. At our nutritional centers, we have more than 400 children who receive treatment; we give them special porridge made of soya, corn and sorghum and we also give them food two times per day. After giving them food, we treat them for different diseases.
After receiving treatment; we shall be giving their mother support (money) for the sake of fighting malnutrition and hunger in the family. Many of these children come with malaria complications that have resulted in anemia because they stay at home for long without seeking treatment due to poverty. Each child shall have a budget of USD 150 for full treatment and preventing malnutrition, malaria and anemia in their family. (USD 60 for nutritional food, USD 40 for medical care and USD 50 for small business or agricultural projects that will help their families fight malnutrition and reduce poverty).
