Project Overview

• Target Population: Adolescent girls aged 10–19 enrolled in public schools.
• Location:  6 primary and secondary schools in high malnutrition burden areas in Somaliland.
• Duration: 24 months.
• Primary Goal: Reduce the prevalence of anemia and improve nutritional literacy among school-going adolescent girls.

Rationale & Context

Lack of micronutrients leads to delayed mental development, poor school performance, and reduced intellectual capacity. According to the UNICEF Micronutrient Survey 2019, prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia among adolescent girls stands at 49%. Folate (Vitamin B9) deficiency among adolescent girls stands at 35%. Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) deficiency among adolescent girls is estimated at 37%. Only 6% of adolescent girls received 90+ of iron and folic acid supplementation. Less than 5% of adolescent girls received de-worming treatment.

Key Project Components

        1. Iron Polic Acid ( IFA ) Supplementation

• Distribute weekly IFA supplements to all adolescent girls in the targeted schools.
• Carryout bi-annual de-worming campaigns and distribute albendazole to all adolescent girls in the target schools to treat intestinal worms and maximize iron absorption.
• Update school-logbooks on regular basis to monitor weekly supplement intake and track compliance.
• Carryout Vitamin A supplementation campaigns twice a year

2. Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC)

• Establish nutrition clubs in 6 pilot schools to drive peer-to-peer education and promote healthy eating habits.

• Increase dietary diversity awareness among students, parents and community members

• Develop simple, culturally appropriate nutrition teaching guides.
• Conduct nutrition promotion sessions for parents to address undernutrition in adolescent and dietary taboos.

3. School Environment Enhancement

• Iron-Rich Canteens: Training school vendors to provide school meals fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.
• Ensuring clean drinking water access for tablet consumption.

Expected Outcomes

• Biological: Reduction in local anemia prevalence among participating girls.
• Behavioral: Increased daily consumption of diverse, iron-rich local foods.
• Educational: Improved school attendance and cognitive performance.