DILI, 15 december 2022 (TATOLI) – A month ago, right before the birth of her son, Veronica Cardoso, 21, went to the Becora Community Health Centre in Dili for her final pregnancy check-up. It was then she learned that she suffered from malnutrition. The doctor referred her to join a national program supported by WFP initiated earlier this year that provides nutritional supplements to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
She was relieved to know that her condition is curable and help is right there. Before she went home, she received Super Cereal, a supplement-fortified blend, rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals and effective in treating malnutrition.
“I understood it was crucial for my baby’s immediate health and development,” Veronica said of the food she received – Super Cereal.
With only 25 percent of households being able to afford nutritious diets, Timor-Leste has some of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. WFP’s assessment (link) has shown that pregnant and breastfeeding women are particularly affected, given their special nutrition requirements, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are crucial for their health and their babies.
However, persistent poverty is preventing many families from affording adequate and nutritious diets. In addition, rising food and fuel costs, climate-induced disasters such as cyclones and floods, and the fallouts of COVID-19 have further impacted families’ ability to access adequate and nutritious food.
As a result, 30 percent of Timorese women of reproductive age are anemic. And that, along with child malnutrition, such as stunting – when a child is too short for their age, which affects nearly half of all children under five – is having detrimental consequences not only on the families but also the development of the entire nation. For women like Veronica and her family, support such as the Government’s targeted supplementary feeding program can be a game changer.
WFP, with generous funding from the Government of China, is proud to support the Ministry of Health in addressing the high malnutrition facing women and children. In addition to procuring Super Cereal, WFP provides cooking classes and information packages to breastfeeding and pregnant women to help them fully utilize Super Cereal’s nutritional benefits.
Distributions are planned for some 144,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women who need support across the country.
“I came back because I want my baby to be healthy. That’s all I want in this world,” said Veronica.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
