Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, World Vision Uganda officially launched the national ENOUGH Campaign, a significant initiative aimed at eradicating child hunger and malnutrition across Uganda.
This campaign is in line with various global and regional frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa Agenda 2063, the East African Community Vision 2050, Uganda’s National Development Plan III, and the forthcoming National Development Plan IV, as well as Vision 2040.
At the launch event, Jeremiah Nyagah, National Director of World Vision Uganda, emphasized the organization’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of vulnerable children throughout the country.
“World Vision Uganda has positively impacted over 3.5 million children through programs in health and nutrition, education, child protection, water and sanitation, disaster response, resilience, and livelihoods. These achievements have been possible through partnerships with the Government of Uganda, donors and various partners. This has also included the introduction of initiatives that drive national focus towards having a safe future for the child. Some of these have previously included the “It Takes a World to End Violence Against Children,” he says.
Jeremiah Nyagah announced that World Vision Uganda will invest $75 million over the next two years to support the ENOUGH Campaign. This substantial commitment aims to ensure sustainable impact through various programs, including education, child protection, resilience and livelihoods, health and nutrition, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), addressing both development and emergency response needs.
“The ENOUGH Campaign aims to: promote the production of diversified, bio-fortified, nutrient-dense foods in the agricultural sector: invest in mindset and social behavior change strategies for improved child nutrition: strengthen policies and guidelines for safe and nutritious food, particularly in areas lacking formal social protection mechanisms: mobilize resources to finance the agricultural sector and improve nutrition services. As such, we shall commit $75 to drive sustainability and impact of this initiative,” explained Jeremiah.
Jacqueline K. Opondo, Board Chairperson of World Vision Uganda, underscored the crucial role of multi-sectoral, integrated approaches in fostering secure livelihoods and enhancing nutrition.
“Championing the end to child hunger and malnutrition expresses our commitment towards improving the lives of the children across our communities of operation and beyond. Our efforts in promoting climate-smart agriculture, supporting cash and food assistance programs, and strengthening community structures to address hunger and malnutrition remain a core aspect of our strategic agenda and focus,” she adds.
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The Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, Uganda’s 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination among relevant ministries to improve nutrition and service delivery. She also affirmed the government’s support for the ENOUGH Campaign, focusing on raising awareness, providing nutrition education, changing harmful feeding practices, and promoting healthy growth for children across Uganda.
The ENOUGH Campaign aims to boost collaboration and expand initiatives to enhance food production and tackle malnutrition. World Vision Uganda invites all relevant ministries, agencies, and households to support this campaign in the collective effort to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in the country.
The launch event, which was well-attended, featured representatives from parliament, key sector players, children of Uganda, and regional and global delegates from World Vision. Discussions focused on the drivers of malnutrition, the effects of child hunger, and potential solutions for creating a lasting impact.