World Vision Mozambique Showcases Nutrition Successes at First International Nutrition & Agribusiness Conference
By António Massipa, Regional Communications and Advocacy Coordinator
World Vision Mozambique (WV-Moz) is participating in the 1st International Conference on Nutrition and Agribusiness (CINA-I), taking place on July 10–11 in Nampula City. During the event, the organization will showcase the success of its nutrition programmes and projects through a range of strategies, including: implementing school feeding initiatives; promoting adequate nutrition for children, women, and adolescent girls; and empowering families with knowledge on nutrition and appropriate complementary feeding.
The event, organised by the Provincial Executive Council of Nampula, comes at a time of persistent challenges in tackling chronic malnutrition in the province. According to the Secretary of State for Nampula province, Plácido Nerino Pereira, the rate of chronic malnutrition affects 46.7% of the population, with particular impact on 38% of children under the age of five, as well as women and the elderly.
WV-Moz views its participation in CINA-I as a strategic opportunity to showcase the significant achievements of its efforts to combat malnutrition. A key example is delivering over 22 million meals to more than 90,000 children across 160 schools through the Educating Children Together – Phase III project in the last five years.
"In addition to presenting these accomplishments, WV-Moz will use CINA-I, as part of the global ‘Enough’ campaign, to amplify the voices of children, promote the campaign’s objectives, and strengthen multi-sectoral alliances with government, civil society, and the private sector in defence of the rights and well-being of the most vulnerable children," says Diolene Gimo, the organisation's Technical Manager for Campaign and Engagement with Faith Actors.
The ‘Enough’ Campaign seeks to end child malnutrition globally, and this event "is a unique platform that will allow us to reaffirm our commitment to improving child nutrition and food security in Mozambique," she adds.
WV-Moz anticipates that its participation will add value by sharing concrete field experiences and evidence generated from its interventions in nutrition, education, community empowerment, and engagement with religious leaders. The organisation also intends to demonstrate how it is mobilising children and young people as agents of change. By sharing these practices, WV-Moz aims to inspire collaborative actions, foster partnerships, and reinforce the need for sustainable investment, and child nutrition-sensitive public policies and budgeting.