In light of recent reports revealing alarming levels of malnutrition among children in Cameroon, youths in the South West Region have pledged to combat this pressing issue in their communities.
This commitment was formalised during a ceremony organised by the Africa Catalyzing Action for Nutrition (AfriCAN) in Buea on Friday, June 28.
The 2023 report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) identified 289 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon, which are severely affected by conflict.
Of this number, 200 children are in the North West Region, and 89 are in the South West.
Further compounding these findings, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released a study showing that nearly 400,000 children in Cameroon aged 6 to 59 months are expected to face acute malnutrition between November 2023 and October 2024.
This includes approximately 147,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition and 248,000 cases of moderate acute malnutrition.
Additionally, more than 12,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are projected to face acute malnutrition during this period.
The primary causes identified include a lack of a balanced diet, high food prices, and ongoing conflict and insecurity.
Against this backdrop, South West youths have stepped up to address the malnutrition crisis.
The ceremony in Buea marked the culmination of AfriCAN’s initiative to train these youths on the importance of good nutrition.
The training, part of the “Creating Nutrition Literate Communities” program, dubbed “Good Nutrition Starts with Me,” equipped participants with knowledge on balanced diets, African Indigenous foods, agriculture, climate change, and health, all interconnected with nutrition.
Dr. Ngongi Namanga, Chairperson of the AfriCAN Board and Country Director for Cameroon, noted the importance of correct food preparation methods in addressing malnutrition.
“Our countries in Africa are suffering from malnutrition not because of a lack of food but because of the lack of correct ways of preparing food,” he explained.
He urged the youth to internalize the principles of good nutrition.
“For the young people whom we are targeting, we want them to accept that good nutrition starts with them. For you to go and convince someone about good nutrition, you must be convinced about it.”
The youths who participated in the training are now expected to disseminate this vital knowledge within their communities.
The overarching goal is to eradicate malnutrition, a persistent problem in many of Cameroon’s regions.
This youth-driven movement aims to foster healthier communities through education and awareness, ultimately contributing to the reduction of malnutrition rates in the region.
