By Kuda Pembere
World Vision has joined the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Civil Society Network through its global Enough Campaign, which focuses on tackling child malnutrition.
The SUN Civil Society Network engages in nutrition advocacy, and World Vision’s participation underscores its recognition of malnutrition as a significant barrier to its broader programming on health, child marriages, and sexual abuse prevention.
Nutrition advocacy is one of our new areas that we just want to delve into as World Vision. Why? Because from evidence, we have realised that hunger and malnutrition are impacting our programming, particularly our thematic areas.
“We do more on education, health in some instances, and livelihoods, but we realise that with the continuous droughts, El Niños, and climate change, we need to focus on this so that we have greater impact in our other interventions,” said Mandy Ruka, World Vision Advocacy and Safeguarding Coordinator.
She was speaking during a Nutrition for Growth stakeholders’ engagement on hunger and malnutrition.
Ruka added that the campaign is a global initiative aimed at fostering partnerships to improve child nutrition.
“This is a five-year campaign, but the timeline depends on the country. For Zimbabwe, we are set to officially launch it in February next year. However, this doesn’t mean we haven’t started working; pre-launch activities are already underway,” she explained.
According to the Food and Nutrition Council, stunting among children under five currently stands at 23% in urban areas, while rural areas bear a heavier burden at 27%.
World Vision has been at the forefront of addressing malnutrition and hunger globally. Through its advocacy and community-based programs, the organization works to improve child health, reduce stunting, and enhance food security.
