Innovative humanitarian aid tackles hunger and malnutrition among migrants families in Peru

  • October 03, 2024
  • Area: Health and nutrition, Humanitarian aid
  • In the sixth phase of the “Families Without Borders” project, executed by Save the Children with the support of BHA/USAID, more than 14,000 vulnerable refugees and migrants will be assisted.

In response to the challenges still faced by migrant and refugee families in Peru, Save the Children, with the support of BHA/USAID, is implementing various innovations in processes and strategies to combat food insecurity and malnutrition in this population group, two of the main issues affecting children and adolescents.

The new phase of the project “Families Without Borders: Protected Migrant Children”, executed for the sixth consecutive year, introduces nutrition interventions specifically designed to improve the feeding practices of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under 5, directly impacting childhood development.

The renewed strategy of Save the Children enhances the results of the food assistance also delivered to migrant families, whose practices and knowledge are leveraged to adapt them to the Peruvian context. In this way, migrants are better equipped to face the complex scenario of food insecurity in the country and become more resilient.

A delegation from BHA/USAID visited this Save the Children intervention to understand its benefits and the actions being taken to ensure its sustainability. The delegation included Mike Heller, USAID/BHA Program Coordinator, Devrie Beazer, Humanitarian Assistance Officer, and Angelica Salas, Field Monitor.

SUSTAINABILITY AND SCALING UP

Similarly, to ensure this innovation is sustainable over time, partnerships have been established with key departments of the Ministry of Health (MINSA), such as the Directorate of Life Course Interventions and Comprehensive Care through the Healthy Child and Neonatal Components.

These entities lead the technical support in capacity building for healthcare professionals to protect breastfeeding and oversee the sustainability of the 39 “Lactawawitas” breastfeeding spaces implemented by Save the Children in the health facilities of the intervention areas.

A key milestone of this intervention is the implementation of community health and nutrition campaigns coordinated with the Integrated Health Networks Directorates (DIRIS), the Regional Health Directorate (DIRESA), and the Regional Health Management of Lambayeque (GERESAS), whose technical teams participate in screenings, anthropometric evaluations, counseling, and vaccinations, among other services.

KEY FIGURES:

  • 25.1% of Venezuelan children aged 6 to 35 months suffer from anemia (SIEN, 2021).
  • 10.6% of Venezuelan children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition (SIEN 2021).
  • 76% of Venezuelan households had to reduce the quantity, quality, and frequency of food consumption (RAV4).

Save the Children, with the support of USAID’s Office of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA/USAID), reaffirms its commitment to continue providing essential support and contributing to the protection and well-being of migrant families.

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