Help to reduce the health and nutrition problems of rural communities in Peru

Contribute to reduce anemia due to iron deficiency in children under 3 years of age, by improving culturally relevant family prevention and control practices; strengthening the capacities of the health sector, local government, social programs and community organizations in the district of Huamanguilla, Ayacucho Region, Peru.

Almost 50% of the Region of Huamanguilla, Peru, presents anemia, a serious health problem especially for pregnant mothers with high risk pregnancies, high probability of maternal death and low birth weight in the newborn and for children under 3 years that negatively affects their brain development, reduces their defenses against diseases, and decreases their physical activity.

With the aim of reducing anemia in these rural communities, Action Against Hunger proposes community work to implement activities for the prevention and control of iron deficiency anemia, especially among the most vulnerable groups.

Likewise, emphasis is placed on the promotion of ancestral techniques that improve the availability and access of iron-rich foods in the home; and the exchange of experiences and local knowledge in the reduction of anemia among rural communities.

• Implement community campaigns for the detection of anemia and the diffusion of iron-rich foods and supplementation with multimicronutrients in pregnant women and children under 3 years of age.
• Design and reproduce educational material for the dissemination of ancestral techniques applied to iron-rich foods, increasing their availability and permanent access at home.
• Train health personnel to develop educational and follow-up actions for the prevention and control of anemia in families with pregnant women and children under 3 years of age.

521 people from the Huamanguilla district will receive training to improve the availability and access of iron-rich foods in their home; and the exchange of local experiences and knowledge in the reduction of anemia among rural communities.

Acción contra el Hambre (web)