UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

Published purpose

Malnutrition among young women and children under five, exacerbated by diarrheal disease and other infections caused by unsafe water, is a major cause of both maternal and child mortality and morbidity in Ethiopia. This project supports Canada’s commitment to improve maternal and child health announced at the G8 Leaders Summit in Muskoka in June 2010. With CIDA’s support, UNICEF will improve the nutrition and health of 3 million pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under-five in 100 food-insecure districts in Ethiopia. Project activities include training government health workers to provide community-based nutrition services such as regular screening and treatment of malnutrition in all children under five; breastfeeding and complimentary feeding promotion, and nutrition counseling for caregivers; and regular provision of Vitamin A, iron supplements, and de-worming tablets. The project will also improve water and sanitation services including clean water sources, separate toilets for men and women, and hand-washing facilities in 40 districts.