Growing up healthy

Ensuring children’s survival, protection and healthy development

Children were the most affected by the food shortages, as they went to school without meals, too hungry to learn. Malnutrition and illness increased.

Plan organised emergency relief projects that helped nearly 7,300 families, including 510 orphans. The project has been difficult to implement: the environment at the time of food distribution required that tight security be provided to ensure that food reached the intended beneficiaries.

Many people were desperate for food at the time, and a total of 283 tonnes of maize were distributed.  In addition, fortified drinks, porridge, beans, cooking oil and dried fish were also given to many families.  Clarie, an orphaned child, said:

“This food will help me and my family. This will make it possible for me to concentrate. I particularly enjoy the fortified drink and dried fish.”