Malnutrition alarming, says survey

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By Peter Atsiaya

Famine has led to an increase in malnutrition among children.

A survey by International Rescue Committee (IRC) showed that 22 per cent of children below five years are malnourished in areas worst hit by famine.

"The IRC’s survey in Kakuma division, Turkana North, showed malnutrition rates among children under five years were 22 per cent, significantly higher than the standard 15 per cent, which the World Health Organisation uses to determine an emergency situation," said the report.

The report further indicated that almost 40 per cent of Kakuma residents survive on one meal a day.

The findings were released by Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition’s (IIMSAM) Special Adviser Charles Ochome.

The group is an international organisation spearheading the anti-malnutrition campaign.

The organisation’s Goodwill Ambassadors, Remigio Maradona, brother of football legend Diego Maradona, and the president of English Premier League Manchester City, Sulaiman Al-Fahim visited Kisumu last week to promote the malnutrition-free campaign.

Mr Ochome said the organisation aspires to make Spirulina a key driver in eradicating malnutrition and achieve food security.

The organisation focuses on bridging the health divide with a special priority for developing and least developed countries.