Provide Plumpy'nut for children in the DR Congo

As you are already aware, the DR Congo often falls below the radar of the media's attention, so it's always encouraging to come across a positive story to share with you from this country in the heart of Africa. Today I wanted to share with you a blog post written by Elisabeth Anderson Rapport from Action Against Hunger, the partner that received Edesia's shipment of Plumpy'Nut. 

Here is an excerpt: 

"Every Thursday morning, Bitondo made the more than five mile trek with her daughter from Kalama to Kilambwigali, to the nearest outpatient centre, where nurses trained by ACF nurses are treating and monitoring acutely malnourished children during their weekly visits.

Bitondo says the journey was well worth it, as Wabiwa received high-quality nutritional therapy, including protein-dense ready-to-use therapeutic foods. These innovative foods have revolutionised the treatment of child malnutrition, allowing children to be treated at home, and enabling health actors to scale up nutritional programmes and reach more children than ever before."

It's heartening to know that Wabiwa's life was changed because of the Plumpy'Nut that was made in our Providence, Rhode Island factory.

Unfortunately for Wabiwa's country, the obstacles never cease. Today I read about another threat in the DR Congo that will most certainly affect the nutritional status of families, and especially young children like Wabiwa, whose bright futures' depend on proper nutrition in the first 1,000 days - from conception to age two. A virulent pest is taking the lives of thousands of goats and sheep. 

It is the poorest families in the DR Congo that rely on sheep and goats for their livelihoods and sustenance. My heart aches, thinking about all of the thousands of families that will be even less able to feed and care for themselves now, as a result of this latest threat. But I am encouraged that organizations like Action Against Hunger are on the ground, helping ensure that children get the nutritional support they need. 

Thank you for supporting our project. We appreciate your caring and your ongoing partnership with us. 

Links:

• Baby Wabiwa's story

Today I came across the Humanitarian Action Plan 2012 for the Democratic Republic of Congo - which has not yet been translated from French to English. It was developed through a participatory discussion between hundreds of humanitarian organizations and provincial and national authorities.

I read that there are populations in the DR Congo that are so remote, they cannot be reached with assistance; that out of 1,000 children, 158 in the DR Congo will not make it to their fifth birthday; and that the average life expectancy for women in the DR Congo is 47 and 51 for men. In 2011, 171,770 children presented at health clinics with malnutrition, 110,607 of them suffering from severe acute malnutrition. 

The report acknowledges the incredible strength and resilience of the Congolese people. The authors also acknowledge the role that the humanitarian community; who, working in perilous conditions, have worked tirelessly on behalf of this poor, struggling country. 

I would like to acknowledge you today for supporting the DR Congo through our project, "Provide Plumpy'nut for the children in the DR Congo." You helped us send 483,598 sachets of Plumpy'nut to the DR Congo through our humanitarian distribution partner, each nutrient-rich packet containing 500 calories of hope for the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. 

"Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something," said an unknown author. We wholeheartedly agree, and thank you for doing something - a very meaningful and important something - for the children of the DR Congo. 

Links:

• UNICEF: Humanitarian Action for Children 2012 (DR Congo)
• Plan d'Action Humanitaire (RDC)