World Vision’s Nutrition intervention curbing malnutrition in Ntoroko
In the wake of devastating floods that swept through the Rwenzori region, leaving families displaced and livelihoods shattered, malnutrition among children has become an alarming concern.
According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2022, three in ten children aged between 0 to 5 years in the region are Malnourished. The loss of farmlands, livestock, and homes has exacerbated the situation, making it difficult for families to access nutritious food.
One such family is that of 29-year-old Maureen, who lost her home, four goats, and property when Lake Albert and River Semliki burst their banks in late 2024.
Once a landowner, Maureen now struggles to pay rent for the land where her makeshift house stands. Feeding her three children has become a daily battle, and affording nutritious meals is a luxury she can barely dream of.
As a breastfeeding mother to her one-year-old and two-month-old daughter, Deborah, Maureen had hoped to continue nursing her until the age of two.
However, food scarcity has made this goal seem unattainable. She first noticed something was wrong when Deborah’s hair began to redden—a telltale sign of malnutrition. Soon after, her daughter developed diarrhea and a swollen stomach.
“I ignored it at first, thinking it would get better, but then she started getting worse,” Maureen recalls. “I was so worried.”
Reaching medical help, however, was an even bigger challenge. The nearest health facility is a four-hour walk from her home, requiring a costly boat ride and further transportation—expenses she simply couldn’t afford.
Her prayers were answered when World Vision, in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health, organized a medical outreach in her community. The outreach offered vital services, including nutrition assessments, immunization, antenatal care, diagnosis, and pharmacy services.
“When I heard the news from our Village Health Team (VHT), I knew God had answered my prayer. I woke up earlier than usual to be among the first in line,” Maureen says. “I couldn’t wait to have my daughter treated.”
At the medical camp, Deborah was diagnosed with acute malnutrition and immediately referred to Karuguttu Health Center III for specialized care. With support from World Vision, an ambulance transported Maureen and her daughter to the facility, where Deborah was provided with therapeutic food to speed up her recovery
Maureen was empowered with procedures to prepare nutritious foods at home with readly available ingredients. Deborah is now discharged from the hospital and the Village Health Teams make regular follow-ups to monitor her recovery.
Dr. Fredrick, the District Health Officer of Ntoroko, highlights the overwhelming need for such interventions. “We always see large turnouts during medical outreaches, often reaching more than 200 families in a single day. We typically identify between five to ten children suffering from malnutrition, with the most severe cases referred for intensive care.”
World Vision is actively working with VHTs and district health structures to conduct community-based nutrition empowerment outreaches. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about malnutrition’s impact on children’s growth and development and equip families with the knowledge to nurture healthier children.
“Maureen is just one of over 3,000 families diagnosed with malnutrition in hard-to-reach areas of Ntoroko district and is now on the path to recovery thanks to the support from UNICEF,” says Mercy Owiny, the World Vision Floods Response Coordinator in Ntoroko. “Through our efforts, families are empowered to better care for their children, while healthcare providers and facilities are better equipped to combat malnutrition in the region.”
Although the floodwaters have receded, their effects linger. However, with ongoing support from organizations like World Vision and UNICEF, hope is being restored.
By Mungu Jakisa Brian, Communications Officer, World Vision Uganda