Programs: Child-Focused Development: Nutrition

Nutrition

When Mawush looks at her children, she weeps because they are so thin.  Mawush, herself, is exhausted from hunger and she is exhausted from the daily struggle just to survive.  She travels three hours each day on foot to collect firewood, which she sells in the nearest town to buy food for her family.  But even that is not enough to support her family.

Mawush lives in Ethiopia which has been experiencing repeated cycles of drought and famine.  Like 85 percent of Ethiopian families, Mawush's family depends on rain fed subsistence agriculture.  When crops fail, Mawush, like others in her drought-affected community, receives CCF emergency food assistance to survive.

CCF's goal is to circumvent the cycle of drought and famine. Therefore, in addition to providing emergency food aid to Ethiopian families, CCF is supporting long term solutions to Ethiopia's food security problems through development of food storage facilities, seed banks and water resource development in drought prone areas.

All children living in poverty — not just those living in drought prone areas — are at risk for suffering from malnutrition.  Because of this, CCF programs include preventive and curative services to overcome malnutrition.

In spite of the fact that global efforts to reduce malnutrition are working, progress is slow and malnutrition is still a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. CCF's nutrition programs are based on best practices to counter childhood malnutrition and support community and family interventions that promote nutrition.

How CCF Helps

Education — Malnutrition often stems from a lack of knowledge, not a lack of food.  Thus, nutrition education - teaching people the best foods to use from readily available sources - is a major focus of CCF's nutrition program.  CCF's programs are designed to address lasting solutions to reduce malnutrition and improve children's lives.  By educating parents and communities on the importance of good nutrition and exploring ways to increase food availability, CCF ensures that children not only survive but lead healthy lives.

Food Security — Building food security among families and communities is a key factor in proper nutrition and children's health. CCF's food security program targets populations with malnourished children and those at risk of being malnourished.  These programs closely fit into the traditional food security components of availability, access and utilization.  CCF focuses on improving agriculture, providing income-generation activities, encouraging natural resources management and creation of related infrastructure.

Emergency Response — Ethiopia has been suffering from a lack of food security from a long period of drought.  CCF-Ethiopia is using methods of food security  to improve the capacity of drought affected communities. 

If you would like to help, you may contribute to our Children's Greatest Needs Fund. This is our general fund used for developing, operating and providing life-sustaining programs for children and families. Contributions to Children's Greatest Needs are essential to help CCF in its mission to improve the lives of children.

Please enter the amount you'd like to donate (in US Dollars) in the box.