UNICEF to lauch supplementary feeding scheme

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is preparing to launch a blanket supplementary feeding programme this month in seven provinces in Mozambique, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and development NGOs. The beneficiaries are an estimated 141,000 children aged six to 59 months and 71,000 pregnant and lactating women in 22 of the country's poorest food deficit districts, UNICEF said in a report released on Monday. The agency quoted a ministry of health study, which found that 44 percent of deaths in children under the age of five were linked to malnutrition. The first consignment of 1,250 mt of corn soya blend for the programme has been brought into the country by WFP, who will be responsible for procuring the remaining amount. WFP will also transport the food to the districts, mainly in southern and western Mozambique, and will be responsible for storage. NGOs such as CARE, World Vision and Christian Council of Mozambique will help with the implementation of the project at the community level, UNICEF said. The provinces to be targeted - Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala, Manica, Tete, Zambezia and Nampula - were selected by the ministry of health in September. Follow-up treatment and care for severely malnourished children will be provided through support to the existing therapeutic feeding centre networks run by the provincial and district health directorates. Meanwhile, the provincial health authority in Tete province has requested additional support from UNICEF to help continue with an emergency measles vaccination campaign. As of 17 November 2002, 1,085 measles cases were reported, mainly in older children, with 11 fatalities. Currently, children are being vaccinated in the areas surrounding the reported cases, particularly in schools and crèches. A radio campaign and social mobilisation exercise carried out by community workers has been urging people to have their children immunised against the highly contagious disease, UNICEF reported.