Help us to fight Malnutrition.
Ethiopia is confronted with significant challenges related to malnutrition, particularly among children below the age of five. Malnutrition manifests in the form of stunting, wasting, and being underweight, leading to adverse consequences for child survival, long-term well-being, human capital, economic productivity, and national development. Policymakers in Ethiopia should prioritize addressing the consequences of malnutrition, including the high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A, iron, and iodine. Factors such as poverty, food insecurity, limited healthcare access, inadequate sanitation, and poor feeding practices contribute to malnutrition.
According to the Food and Nutrition baseline survey of 2023, the national prevalence of stunting among children under the age of five remains high at 39 percent, affecting approximately 5 million children, while 1.5 million children (11 percent) suffer from wasting. At the country level, over 6.3 million children are affected by some form of malnutrition, including undernutrition and overnutrition. Stunting is more prevalent in rural areas, and there are regional disparities. Moreover, more than half of women of reproductive age, adolescent girls, and young children experience one or more micronutrient deficiencies across all regions.
The Ethiopian Civil Society Coalition for Scaling Up Nutrition (ECSC-SUN) was established in 2012 to address the urgent need for tackling malnutrition in Ethiopia. The coalition comprises civil society organizations, including NGOs, community-based organizations, and research institutions. The objectives of ECSC-SUN are to strengthen the role of civil society in advocating for nutrition-related policies and programs, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and support the implementation of effective nutrition interventions.
ECSC-SUN plays a crucial role in coordinating and advocating for nutrition by bringing together diverse organizations and stakeholders. The coalition engages in advocacy efforts to influence policies and resource allocation for nutrition. It also focuses on capacity building by providing training and technical support to member organizations, enhancing their ability to implement effective nutrition interventions. This includes training on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, behavior change communication, and monitoring and evaluation.
Knowledge sharing and learning are integral to ECSC-SUN’s activities. The coalition facilitates platforms such as conferences, workshops, and publications to promote knowledge exchange among members and stakeholders, enabling the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned in the field of nutrition.
ECSC-SUN recognizes the importance of partnerships and collaborates with government agencies, donors, international organizations, and other stakeholders to leverage resources and expertise in addressing malnutrition effectively. Through these partnerships, the coalition strives to make a significant impact in combating malnutrition and improving nutrition outcomes in Ethiopia.
