GIZ set to improve nutrition in Salima

GIZ in Malawi says it plans to construct a nutrition unit in Salima to improve nutrition coordination among players in the district.

Speaking yesterday during an inspection of the project’s site, GIZ Food and Nutrition Security Programme technical adviser Barbara Matengu said they hatched the idea to form the unit at their Directorate of Nutrition, HIV and Aids and that Salima will serve as a pilot for the project.

She said the project seeks to make nutrition issues more visible.

Said Matengu: “Having the unit up and running will facilitate coordination and encourage other stakeholders to become more involved in the development of the nutrition sector.

“The nutrition unit is a permanent technical working group that already exists, but by designating the infrastructure as such, there will be more opportunities for the unit to work together effectively than when officers work in isolation.”

Matengu also said they expect the infrastructure to offer a friendly environment that will encourage more discussions on nutrition between the communities and the officers.

On his part, Salima district commissioner James Mwenda said the new premises will also address office space challenges that the council is facing which left nutrition officers working in isolation.

“These offices are timely because we needed to have offices, specifically allocated for the nutrition sector because it is an important sector that needs to be supported with necessary resources and facilities,” he said.

Mwenda said the nutrition unit comprises officers working in the nutrition sector and they include nutrition officers from ministries of Education, Agriculture, Health and the district council.

“Having these key players housed in one roof will ease coordination and communication,” he said. Mwenda encouraged other stakeholders and non-governmental organisations to emulate the good gesture shown by GIZ