Malnutrition remains among the most critical problems worldwide, particularly for the underprivileged and poor in developing countries like Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  Poverty is a root cause of malnutrition as poor families lack the economic, environmental, and social resources to purchase or produce enough food. Civil strife, which Haiti has recently endured, also causes upheaval in the food system and can lead to widespread famine.

Nursing

Thankfully, much of the suffering caused by malnutrition is preventable. International Child Care (ICC) offers several programs to help combat malnutrition and its harmful effects in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Educating families, especially women, to understand the special nutritional needs of young children, notably the value of breastfeeding, is just one way ICC addresses the problem of malnutrition. Nutrition during the first three years of life is crucial for lifelong health and well-being. Through health education and nutrition classes, International Child Care empowers women to not only improve the nutrition of their children, but also themselves.

Growth Monitoring

Growth monitoring is another method ICC uses to assess and treat malnutrition. The purpose of growth monitoring is to detect developmental problems in order to prevent a child from becoming malnourished.  Growth monitoring is routinely offered and recorded through mobile clinics in ICC´s urban and rural project areas. If it is discovered that a child is not growing normally, nutritional supplements or treatment is provided.

Nutrition & Disease

The combination of malnutrition and infectious disease can be particularly dangerous. Malnutrition can impair the immune system, leaving children more vulnerable to diseases such as diarrhea, measles and tuberculosis. International Child Care helps combat malnutrition by providing immunization against common childhood diseases. ICC also distributes vitamin A as a lack of this important nutrient can prolong and increase the severity of persistent illnesses.

Nutrition & Disease

Other interventions that International Child Care utilizes in the prevention of malnutrition include improving sanitation, hygiene and the water supply through health education, the building of latrines and spring capping. ICC also provides pre and postnatal care to women as chronically undernourished women tend to bear low birth weight babies which perpetuates the cycle of malnutrition into the next generation.