Mafeteng, May 27 — The Lesotho Red Cross Society has introduced a three months project, Strengthening Nutrition Messaging through Risks Communications, Community engagement and Accountability to affected Populations.
The project forms part of the one that was carried out by World Vision Lesotho and has extended it to Lesotho Red Cross Society after its phasing out of Matelile Development Area as a result of shortage of funds.
Addressing Mafeteng District Nutrition Team during the meeting at District Food and Coordinating Office on Tuesday the Lesotho Red Cross Society’s Planning, Evaluation and Reporting Officer Ms. Lintle Mathosi said the project is going to focus on available nutrition key massaging whereby the team working together with the established Nutrition Clubs will be delivering messages bearing the importance of proper feeding of infants (under five children).
She highlighted that following challenges brought by continuing climate change they found it imperative to continue with the project working together with UNICEF, nutrition stakeholders in the district in ensuring healthy lives of infants through information dissemination on nutrition whereby the main targets are hard to reach areas to build a strong foundation on nutrition issues.
She indicated that the project will operate in two community Councils of Makoabating with three villages of Ha Mabatla, Ha Motamolane and Malumeng while the second Community Council will be Ramoetsana with the whole of Masemouse population.
She stated that they will also visit Early Childhood Care and Development Centers whereby they will be encouraging teachers to feed under five children healthy foods through production of crops and use of smart climate plots.
On the other hand the Society’s Health Programme Officer, Mrs. Muluoane Ramakhula clarified that activities to be carried out include capacity building for volunteers, nutrition clubs, community engagement through holding sensitization campaigns, rumor tracking and feedback mechanisms..
She stated that they will be working on preparedness and coordination with Disaster Management Authority on contingency planning and crisis modifier support as well as communication and visibility study whereby they will be disseminating nutrition messages through radio programmes, social media and adverts.
On behalf of the District Nutrition Team Members the District Food and Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Mathabang Kalaka thanked the society for taking the initiative at the district saying the project has come at the right time when needed most.
She highlighted that the district is one of those with a stunting challenge that is showing poor feeding among under five children and said through this initiative she is hoping to reduce those high numbers of stunting.
The project is operating within the districts of Mohale’s Hoek, Leribe, Quthing, Qacha’s Nek, Thaba-Tseka and Mafeteng respectively.
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