DILI, 12 july 2023 (TATOLI) – The World Food Program (WFP) has expressed its commitment to continue supporting the new government, led by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, in combating malnutrition and stunting in Timor-Leste.
“As WFP, we have expressed our support for the programs that the government has already implemented related to nutrition, food security, and the implication that these projects will have on the development of the country,” WFP Timor-Leste Representative, Alba Cecilia Garzon Olivarez told reporters after meeting with the Speaker of the House, Maria Fernanda Lay, at the National Parliament, in Dili, today.
With almost every second child being stunted (47.1 percent of children under five years of age), Olivarez said it does have a significant impact on national development.
Timor-Leste has the third highest prevalence of stunting and is among the only three countries in which at least half of children below 5 are stunted.
Related News:https://en.tatoli.tl/2022/06/20/world-bank-to-support-govt-to-combat-malnutrition-and-stunting-among-children/20/
She said stunting affects the cognitive and physical development of a child: “Children who are stunted are those who are not developed cognitively and physically to the level that should be able to advance and develop this country.”
Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation.
“What we need to look at is activities that will support breaking that cycle and activities related to the food system because food insecurity basically is the result of the high level of stunting in the country,” she said
Olivarez emphasized that poverty is the main cause of malnutrition and stunting in the country: “Many people cannot afford good quality food.”
Forty-two percent of the Timorese population currently lives below the national poverty line.
“What WFP intends to do is basically look at the problem of nutrition. We already have projects in place that we would like to strengthen and ensure that the cycles of unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition are resolved,” Olivarez said. “We will be working at the local level by supporting local government to be able to implement activities that actually give results and we are able to change.”
WFP has been working closely with the Timor-Leste government in the fight against malnutrition, including working with the Ministry of Health to provide nutritious food for mothers and children, working with the Ministry of Education on the School Feeding Program, working with the Ministry of Social, Solidarity and Inclusion on Bolsa da Mão, and others.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
