Andina

Peru shares progress against chronic child malnutrition

LIMA, PERÚ - AGOSTO 10.La ministra de Desarrollo e Inclusión Social (MIDIS) Paola Bustamante supervisa el reinicio del servicio alimentario escolar  Qali Warma. Foto: ANDINA/Norman Córdova

LIMA, PERÚ - AGOSTO 10.La ministra de Desarrollo e Inclusión Social (MIDIS) Paola Bustamante supervisa el reinicio del servicio alimentario escolar Qali Warma. Foto: ANDINA/Norman Córdova

16:01 | Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Nov. 9.

Deputy Political and Social Assessment Minister Maria Eugenia Mujica presented Peru's progress in tackling chronic child malnutrition at the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Global Gathering in Abidjan.

During her participation, Mujica stressed Peru had managed to reduce chronic malnutrition in children —under five years old— by half in less than 10 years, thus reaching a 13.1% rate in 2016.

Likewise, the Development and Social Inclusion Ministry's (MIDIS) representative addressed the sector's guidelines and efforts undertaken to fight chronic child malnutrition, as well as anemia in the South American country. 

Mujica also highlighted social programs —such as Cuna Mas— successfully implemented in the Inca nation.

This initiative aims at contributing to the proper development of children —younger than 3 years of age— from populations hit by poverty and extreme poverty.

It must be noted Cuna Mas' aid reaches 863 urban and rural districts throughout the country.

According to the government official, MIDIS and other Peruvian Government's ministers have joined forces to reduce anemia by 19% through 2021.

About

Since 2010, the SUN Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition in all its forms.

With SUN countries' governments in the lead, the organization unites people —from the United Nations, civil society, donors, businesses, and researchers— in a collective effort to improve nutrition.

The 2017 SUN Movement Global Gathering's main objective is to celebrate progress in the implementation of national nutrition plans worldwide, as well as to better understand the challenges on this matter and identify solutions. 

In this sense, this event provides a platform for SUN countries to share innovative ideas and experiences concerning the fight against malnutrition.

The SUN Movement Global Gathering was held in Abidjan city on November 7-9.

(END) NDP/JAA/MVB

Published: 11/9/2017