Grow ENRICH project: Global Programme to Improve Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition in East Africa Fact Sheet

The Grow ENRICH project: Global Programme to Improve Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition in East Africa aims to enhance health and nutrition systems across Kenya (Elgeyo Marakwet), Somalia (Nugaal), and Tanzania (Shinyanga DC and Kishapu) over a four-year period from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2027. With a budget of €6,060,000, funded primarily by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and World Vision Germany, this initiative addresses the alarming rates of stunting and malnutrition in the region, where East Africa has the highest prevalence globally.

The programme targets a significant challenge: as of recent assessments, the rates of wasting and stunting among children under five years are concerning, with figures of 3.2% in Kenya, 14% in Somalia, and 3.6% in Tanzania for wasting, and 32.9%, 9.8%, and 30.3% for stunting, respectively. The project aims to create an enabling policy environment that fosters improved health and nutrition outcomes for both individuals and communities.

Key objectives include the implementation of updated national action plans aligned with African Union nutrition policies, the enhancement of gender-sensitive nutrition and health services, and the promotion of nutritious food production. The project will engage various stakeholders at macro, meso, and micro levels, directly benefiting 506,898 individuals, including pregnant and lactating women, children, and marginalised groups. Through innovative models such as Citizen Voice & Action and Positive Deviance Hearth, the programme seeks to establish sustainable networks and partnerships that advocate for improved health and nutrition services, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes in East Africa.