NGO concern at Rwanguba malnutrition results

An assessment of the health, nutrition and food security of people living in Rwanguba health zone, a war-affected area northeast of Goma in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has found a 13.9 percent rate of serious malnutrition among children under five years, according to the aid organisation World Vision.

In a statement on Tuesday, the nongovernmental organisation said that the middle upper arm circumference (MUAC) survey of some 1,404 children last week found that, of the 13.9 percent with severe malnutrition, 9.3 percent were suffering from the protein deficiency disorder kwashiorkor and 4.6 percent were suffering from marasmus, a severe form of malnutrition and progress emaciation.

A further 15.5 percent of children were moderately malnourished, it added.

Rwanguba, a traditionally rich, highly fertile area, had suffered numerous attacks by various rebel groups, who had looted the community of livestock and other assets, according to World Vision.

It noted that health centres had been targeted in these attacks, with supplies looted and buildings destroyed. The community was also suffering the economic effects of plunging world coffee prices and the recent eruption of Mt Nyirangongo volcano on Goma town, it added.

"The malnutrition in Rwanguba is not just because of insecurity and looting," said Sylvie Kokere, a World Vision nutritionist, who was part of the assessment team. "These women need information so that they can prepare nutritious food from what is available.

"They also need information about health and sanitation, which will really improve the health of their children," the statement added.

The immunisation coverage of the 1,404 children was low, World Vision said, noting that the poor levels of vaccination were partly the result of the health zone having only one fridge to hold vaccines for 19 health centres.

"Any time an immunisation campaign is done, a staff member must walk tens of kilometres, collect a supply of vaccine, and then return to the centre where the women must be waiting and ready with their children," Kokere said.

World Vision said it had developed a health, nutrition and food security proposal in a bid to address the disturbing assessment results. Through an integrated health programme, training for staff in the centres and training for midwives, it said, it hopes to equip people to respond more effectively to their own needs.