Longterm Support for Malnourished Children in Gaza
25 November 2008
Project Partners
"Fruit is available only on the television. Meat used to cost 20 shekals a kilo before the siege and now it costs over 50 shekals" (Mother of child attending MAP's clinic, September 2008)
Malnutrition is a transient clinical and physiological crisis that has serious consequences for a child's growth. It is caused when a child does not eat a daily required allowance of nutrition.
Learn more about Ard El-Insan's Response to the Gaza Crisis HERE
May 2009 Update of this project HERE
The main symptom of chronic malnutrition in Gaza is 'stunting'. Stunted children may never regain the height lost as a result of stunting, and most children will never gain the corresponding body weight. It also leads to premature death later in life because vital organs never fully developed during childhood.
Thanks to the support of 'Salam Ya Sighar' (Peace for Children) MAP is able to combat malnutrition and help provide longterm support for children in Gaza.
MAP's partner, Ard El Ensan, selects children from disadvantaged areas of the strip and conducts blood screening to diagnose the level of malnutrition. The child then enters a programme of regular checkups, counseling and nutritional training.
In addition to providing short-term food supplements such as meat, fruit and vegetables the project also train mothers into improved ways to prepare nutritional meals.
READ THE STORY OF BABY AHMAD HERE
Our Partner
Ard El Ensan has over 20 years experience of supporting the most disadvantaged children of the Gaza Strip. They are the main organization which receives referrals for treatment and support of malnourished children from the MOH and UNRWA health clinics. With the current rise in rates of malnourished children presenting at clinics Ard El Ensan are being inundated with new cases to support. Therefore Ard El Ensan have requested MAP's support to ensure that they can respond to at least 5,100 children identified in the Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, Beit Lahiyah and Gaza City areas in need of joining the emergency nutritional programme.
By supporting this project MAP will be able to support our partner to provide food supplement programme and medical care to high risk children with a high level of malnutrition.
Combating Malnutrition
· Children to receive nutritional supplements, daily hot meals and those with severe malnutrition will received medical treatment by pediatricians
· Mothers of children on the programme will be supported to know to prepare appropriate meals with the limited food materials available in market.
· In addition mothers will be supported with breast feeding counseling, nutritionalists and peer support from other mothers.
· Food parcels for very disadvantaged families with more than three children showing signs of sever anaemia and malnutrition
See a video interview with an Ard El Ensan Doctor
Click here to read a detailed description of the project
