From rxpgnews.com
Morocco Receives US$2.92 Million Grant for Flour Fortification Project
By Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
Apr 8, 2005, 03:22
The Kingdom of Morocco launched today a project to combat iron deficiency anemia and problems due to vitamin A and D deficiency among women and young children. The project is financed by a three-year US$2.92 million grant from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), for which the World Bank serves as trust agent. Morocco is the fifth country to obtain a grant for large-scale food fortification efforts from GAIN.
The project, which is expected to benefit around 15 million Moroccans, will enable 50 mills to produce flour fortified with iron, folic acid and B vitamins, and major producers of cooking oil to fortify their products with vitamin A and D. Total production of fortified flour, used mainly in bread making, will be three million tons per year, distributed in regions that are home to about half the country�s people.
�By fortifying staple foods we are able to get essential vitamins and minerals to vulnerable people very cost-effectively, utilizing the food industry, rather than the traditional health sector,� said GAIN Chairman Mr Jay Naidoo.
The launch event took place in Rabat today, attended by Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou, Minister of Health Mohamed-Cheik Biadillah and representatives of the World Health Organisation, as part of a programme of activities to celebrate World Health Day.
Iron deficiency anemia affects about a third of childbearing age women and children under five in Morocco, greatly increasing risks of death and complications during childbirth and reducing learning capacity and energy levels. At least a third of young children in Morocco also suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which compromises immune systems, opening the doors to disease and causing an estimated 1,500 deaths each year.
The Ministry of Health in Morocco has set up an integrated micronutrient deficiency control programme, involving fortification of staple foods, supplementation for vulnerable populations, nutritional education and reinforcement of nutrition-related health programmes, with the objective to reduce iron-deficiency anemia by a third and eliminate iodine and vitamin A and D deficiencies by 2010. The government strategy includes fortification of salt, flour, oil and milk with iodine, iron and vitamins A, B and D. However, surveys conducted in 2000 showed more effort was needed to achieve the desired results.
The GAIN grant proposal was prepared in 2002 by a National Alliance for Fortification, comprised of public, private and non-governmental organizations, led by the Ministry of Health. Approved in 2003, GAIN last year provided interim funding of US$257,000 for the project, to equip four additional mills for fortification, initiate a promotional campaign for fortified foods, conduct a study on consumption patterns and develop a monitoring and evaluation plan.
�As the grain industry diversifies and develops in the region, it is important that we create the right environment - through standards and legislation, the capacity and commitment of millers and awareness among consumers - for long term, sustainable fortification efforts,� said GAIN board member and mill manager Nicolas Tsikhlakis of Jordan. Marrakech will host the 17th annual International Association of Operative Millers conference for the African and Middle Eastern region in September this year, enabling Morocco to profile its flour fortification initiative to representatives from the biggest market for wheat consumption in the world.
The Commission for Africa report, released earlier this month, noted �reducing vitamin and mineral deficiency, through supplements and fortification, has minimal cost with big impacts. African governments and global health partnerships must ensure that the treatment and prevention of micronutrient deficiencies are integrated into public health campaigns.�
The UNICEF office in Rabat will implement the World Bank-administered project, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the National Alliance for Fortification. The project budget, including government and industry contributions, totals US$35.5 million, with components aimed at food production and distribution, food control, communication, programme monitoring and evaluation and programme management support.
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