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Project
Background
Malnutrition is a growing problem for Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Anaemia and chronic and acute malnutrition rates are increasing, especially amongst children under five. Growing children are particularly sensitive to a lack of essential protein, vitamins and minerals in their diet, leaving them extremely vulnerable to malnutrition.
Studies have found that four out of five Palestinian children have inadequate iron and zinc intake. Deficiencies of these minerals can cause anaemia and immune deficiency respectively. Over half of Palestinian children do not have enough to eat in terms of calories.
These statistics are not surprising when approximately 50% of all Palestinians require food aid to help meet their minimal daily needs. Without this support malnutrition rates would be even higher. Almost half of Palestinians live below the poverty line, surviving on US $2 a day.
Malnourishment in children results in a failure to grow and develop normally, leaving some children mentally and physically impaired. In extreme cases, it can result in blindness and death. Malnourished children are also more vulnerable to diseases and take longer to recover from illness.
Children in preschools under this programme receive a carton of flavoured milk and a packet of high energy biscuits each day. The biscuits are fortified with vitamins and minerals, while the milk is naturally rich in micronutrients as well as a good source of protein.
This programme has been helping children fend off malnutrition since September 2003. |
