Via allAfrica.com, a New Times report: Rwanda: Govt Secures Rwf47 Billion From WB to Reduce Chronic Malnutrition.
Cases of chronic malnutrition could be reduced by more than 10 per cent thanks to a new financing deal between the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank Group.
The Government and the World Bank yesterday signed a $55 million deal (about Rwf47bn) to reduce stunting rates among children.
Part of the $55 million is a $25 million credit provided by the International Development Association (IDA) while the rest will come in as a grant jointly provided by the Power of Nutrition ($20 million) and the Global Financing Facility which injected in $10 million.
This partnership could see the rate of stunting ratio reduced from the current 43 per cent to less than 33 per cent among highly affected districts, officials said.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Claver Gatete, the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, called the support a timely shot, adding that it will help address the issue of chronic malnutrition, especially among children between 5 and 13 years of age.
According to Gatete, the project will support the Government in adopting and implementing bold strategies to improve the visibility of stunting in Rwanda, and to deliver harmonised behavior change messages across various platforms.
The districts set to benefit from this support include Nyabihu, Ngororero, Karongi, Rubavu, Rutsiro, Rusizi, Nyamagabe, Huye, Nyaruguru, Ruhango, Gakenke, Kayonza and Bugesera.
The money will be utilised under an existing Social Protection project.
The Minister for Health, Dr Diane Gashumba, said the package will, among other things, boost malnutrition awareness among pregnant mothers.
Government is committed and will do everything within its reach to make sure stunting is eradicated once and for all, she noted.
