Somalia’s Ministry of Health has launched the country’s first national nutrition survey since 2009 in conjunction with UNICEF Somalia.
The survey was launched on August 25.
According to a press release issued by UNICEF, the survey seeks to “shine a spotlight on the nutritional condition of both women and children” in the East African nation.
Reports indicate that Somalia has made huge strides in this area.
Today, 90 percent of infants in the country are breastfed. Consequently, Somalia has recorded a massive decrease in the prevalence of wasted and stunted growth in infants.
While launching the survey, Dr. Fawziya Abikar Nur, the country’s health minister, said that all stakeholders have played a crucial role in ensuring that the survey kicks off unhindered.
Nevertheless, she reminded stakeholders that the fight against malnutrition is not over.
Werner Schultink, UNICEF’s Representative in Somalia, said the survey would provide “invaluable data” on nutritional status in both women and children around the country.
The survey was carried out from December 2018 to July 2019 when data was collected from women and children all over the Horn of Africa nation.