The Nutrivida project, promoted by the World Food Program (WFP) with support from the Government of Canada and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), promotes maternal and child well-being in Cuba by providing access to a variety of quality foods.
Zoe DÃaz Bernal, Nutrition Officer for the organization, told ACN that the initiative focuses on improving nutritional status and preventing and reducing anemia in vulnerable populations in the provinces of HolguÃn and Mayabeque.
The project prioritizes children up to 11 years old, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers in the municipalities of MayarÃ, Moa, and HolguÃn in eastern Cuba, as well as in Santa Cruz, Bejucal, and San José de las Lajas in western Cuba, where it strengthens local food systems and supports the delivery of supplies.
The specialist explained that Nutrivida is based on scientific evidence and includes a baseline study to evaluate the nutritional and psychological status of the beneficiaries. For this reason, local teams are being trained in measuring anemia levels and indicators such as anthropometric measurements, including weight, height, and body mass index.
DÃaz Bernal emphasized that early childhood care addresses a crucial stage of growth and development, in which adequate nutrition is essential to prevent future health and well-being problems.
The program also serves pregnant and breastfeeding women, as their nutritional status affects the quality of pregnancy, the health of the newborn, maternal mortality, and perinatal risks, the specialist noted.
To date, coordinating teams have been formed in each municipality, links have been established between production units and social protection networks, and the monitoring of food and supply distribution has been systematized.
She added that the design of the baseline study has begun, and prenatal and nutritional supplements, including powdered micronutrients for children under two years old, have been acquired. Following the distribution cycles, the evolution of the indicators will be evaluated.
The World Food Program (WFP) promotes food security in Cuba through agroecological resilience initiatives, disaster response, and the strengthening of social protection networks.
IMAGE CREDIT: Claudia Laura RodrÃguez Zaldivar | Photos: Juan Pablo Carreras
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
