Contributing to the recovery of
children with malnutrition.

Guatemala has the largest and most dynamic economy in Central America. However, it is among the 5 most unequal countries in the region; as a result, more than 10 million people live in multidimensional poverty, 47% of children under 5 years of age suffers from chronic malnutrition —making the country rank 71st out of 113 countries in terms of food security—, and 60% of the population does not have their daily meal guaranteed.

Our humanitarian approach leads us to work on securing the food of thousands of Guatemalan families, by both addressing food insecurity in a comprehensive manner, and by promoting spaces for direct intervention with children from 2 to 5 years of age, who suffer from chronic malnutrition. We also work on programs focused on the economic empowerment of women, under the belief that we will not be able to overcome poverty until all people have the same rights and opportunities, especially women and girls. At a community level, we strive to make people resilient towards climate change through securing food access. 

Under this mission, we joined Quaker in the Quaker Qrece program. This partnership allowed us to reach 2,200 children and ensure their recovery from chronic malnutrition, through a specialized meal prepared by Quacker that covers part of the child daily dietary recommendations.

This meal is intended for children from 2 to 5 years of age who present acute or moderate malnutrition, or nutritional risk and slow growth. For the program, it is important that the child stays within the nutritional control system after the 1000-day window. Having an appropriate nutrition from 2 to 5 years of age can prevent 54% of childhood illnesses.

We know that eradicating child malnutrition is not an easy task and that comprehensive actions must be implemented, which is why CARE’s intervention is from door to door. We fully involve the family and promote their active participation through skill-development processes that allow them to make better use of the resources to which they have access.

The children in the program receive the specialized meal for a full year, while their family is involved in a skill-development process, in which good hygiene and food practices are emphasized. In addition, our intervention model does not allow us to carry a strict control of the child recovery through his weight/size and size/age.

Direct participants:

2,200
Children

Indirect participants:

11,000
People

Donors:

The Quaker Foundation PEPSICO

Objectives:

To contribute to the prevention, and mild and moderate recovery of children from 2 to 5 years of age diagnosed with the Weight/Height and Height/Age indicators.

Expected results:

  • To have improved the access to nutritional supplements for children with mild and moderate malnutrition.
  • An increased knowledge and skills on food and nutrition in the families of the participating children.
  • To have established strategic partnerships in favor of nutrition.

Implementation period:

From April 2020 to May 2022.

Area covered: