FAO project funded by ECHO Nutrition training reaches 1,200

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission (ECHO) have provided nutrition enhancing training to over 1,200 beneficiaries in the tsunami affected north and east of Sri Lanka.

The training, which is provided through the Department of Agriculture's extension services, will eventually reach close to 2,000 tsunami-affected households in 57 different locations in 6 districts. FAO's nutrition programme is administered in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the North East Provincial Council.

This training is part of the nutrition strategy of FAO's ECHO funded project for US $ 5,070,000 'Assistance to Tsunami Affected Vulnerable Fishermen and Women in Sri Lanka' which supports beneficiaries in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara.

The nutrition programme was initiated in July with the training of Agriculture and Fisheries Instructors, and is set to conclude by the end of November.

The training demonstrated how to enhance micronutrient, protein and energy intake for meals using locally grown horticulture produce, rice and fish.

The objective is to maximise the nutritional value of local ingredients through processing horticulture produce, fish preservation and long-term use in a low cost manner suitable for crisis situations.

According to the post-tsunami nutrition survey carried out in February 2005 by MRI, WFP and UNICEF, the prevalence of underweight children under 5 years of age is as high as 38 per cent in the North-East. FAO's nutrition programme is demonstrating how to prepare nutritious meals for emergency situations from available ingredients and food aid materials while taking advantage of the diversity of foods.

FAO is the UN's coordinating agency for the rehabilitation of the fisheries and agriculture sectors in Sri Lanka.