Every child has the right to access safe, nutritious, and sufficient food to support their growth, health, and well-being. Ensuring this right requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both immediate and long-term nutritional needs. ACRIF is committed to implementing programs that promote maternal, infant, young child, and adolescent nutrition, advocate for effective nutrition policies, and provide life-saving nutrition interventions for vulnerable populations.
Through targeted initiatives, ACRIF supports maternal and child health by promoting proper feeding practices, including exclusive breastfeeding, home-based food fortification with micronutrient powders, and the provision of specialized nutritious food for children and pregnant and lactating women. These efforts help prevent malnutrition and ensure that children receive the essential nutrients they need during critical stages of development.
Beyond direct nutrition interventions, ACRIF strengthens food security by empowering agro-pastoral communities with improved farming techniques, access to quality seeds and fertilizers, and sustainable agricultural practices. By enhancing local food production and ensuring better market access, we enable families to achieve long-term food security and economic stability.
Food safety and fortification also play a crucial role in ACRIF’s approach. By advocating for proper food handling, storage, and hygiene practices, we work to minimize health risks associated with unsafe food consumption. Additionally, our food fortification initiatives help address micronutrient deficiencies by enriching staple foods with essential vitamins and minerals.
ACRIF’s work in nutrition and food security is guided by a strong commitment to policy advocacy and capacity building. Through collaborations with government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders, we strive to influence national and local policies that support sustainable nutrition programs. By integrating these efforts, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, well-nourished, and free from the burden of malnutrition.
ACRIF engages in advocacy and policy support to promote nutritional well-being at the national and regional levels. We collaborate with governments, NGOs, and international organizations to develop and implement policies that address malnutrition and food insecurity. Our efforts include research, capacity building, and the promotion of evidence-based interventions that improve nutrition outcomes for children and their families.
ACRIF focuses on improving maternal and child nutrition through initiatives such as breastfeeding promotion, micronutrient supplementation, and education on healthy eating practices. Nutrition during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence is vital for growth and development. We work with healthcare providers and communities to ensure that mothers and children receive the nutrition they need for a healthy start in life.
ACRIF provides therapeutic feeding programs, including ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) and medical care for severely malnourished children. We also offer support for moderate acute malnutrition through supplementary feeding programs, ensuring that children receive the necessary nutrients to recover and thrive.
ACRIF promotes sustainable agriculture through kitchen and school gardening initiatives to enhance food security, nutrition, and environmental stewardship. Kitchen gardens provide families with fresh, nutritious food while also generating income through surplus produce. School gardens serve as hands-on learning spaces, teaching children about agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability while contributing to school meal programs. Through training, resources, and advocacy.
Ensuring food safety is crucial for the health and well-being of children and the communities we work with. ACRIF implements programs that engage communities about safe food handling practices, proper storage, and preparation methods. We work with local governments, Local NGOs and International NGOs to establish and enforce food safety regulations, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food.
Ensuring children have access to nutritious food is fundamental to their healthy growth, development, and overall well-being. However, many children face micronutrient deficiencies that can hinder their physical and cognitive development, impacting their ability to learn, thrive, and reach their full potential. Food fortification – the process of adding essential vitamins and minerals to commonly consumed foods – offers a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to address these widespread nutritional gaps.
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ACRIF (former ANPPCAN Somaliland) is a development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls and boys
