The first "NUTRITHON" opens today in Douala

"NUTRITHON" is a fundraising organized by UNICEF to finance the “Programme to combat malnutrition in our homes” for young children of 6 to 23 months. In this programme, approximately 300,000 children have been targeted.

The objective of the first 'Nutrithon' which opened Friday in the economic capital Douala is to raise awareness and inform national public and the diaspora on child malnutrition and its consequences on their physical and cognitive development and the development of the country.

The event, which is part of the advocacy for the nutrition of children in Cameroon, also aimed to mobilise policies, policy makers, donors, the private sector and citizens to invest more in nutrition "because investing in nutrition is the duty of all!

This therefore is a beautiful opportunity for everyone to contribute to the fight against malnutrition prevailing in our country. The necessary financial resources for the implementation of this strategy are estimated at 615 million CFA francs, or 2,050 CFA francs per child.

In Cameroon in effect, there are several forms of malnutrition. Still called by the experts "the invisible face of malnutrition", this form affects more than one child of less than five years. This accounts for one out of three in all countries and translates into a physical statue depicted in the size of a child which looks too small for their age.

These same specialists explained that “stunting” is reflected in the nutritional history of a child during the first 1,000 days of life, which is from conception - 9 months up to 2 years. And if nothing is done during this window of opportunity of 1000 days, damages caused by malnutrition are irreversible.

With regard to the girl, one who suffered from malnutrition has increased risk of giving birth to a child of low weight (less than 2.5 kg). In addition 33% (almost 1 200 000 children) of them will be less productive when they get to the age of entering working life. The consequences also indirectly affect the country. For its part, Cameroon lost at least 3% of its gross domestic product because of malnutrition.