Challenges and Opportunities to Translate Global SUN Momentum into Action in Rural Mozambique.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Objectives: Globally, the SUN movement has contributed to increased discussion, commitment,
and momentum around reducing malnutrition. There is, however, limited evidence on how to
shape and sustain an enabling environment to scale up nutrition interventions. The objective was
to document the challenges and opportunities to translate global SUN momentum into action to
fight malnutrition in rural Mozambique.
Methods: We systematically documented the processes involved in developing a stunting
prevention program by the government of Mozambique and supported by the World Food
Programme (WFP). We also interviewed WFP staff and other stakeholders to document
challenges and opportunities for more effectively supporting an enabling environment for largescale
stunting prevention programming.
Results: Commitment to establishing stunting prevention programing required sensitization of
national stakeholders to the individual and collective damage caused by stunting and the
effectiveness of response options. Credible scientific data and technical expertise were
paramount. A general national nutrition strategy was a prerequisite for designing stunting-specific
programing. SUN movement advocacy facilitated governmental and stakeholder engagement and
assisted in the local-level prioritization of stunting prevention programing. Stakeholders were more
amenable to support program development when it aligned with the SUN movement. Nonetheless different stakeholders needed and wanted different information and audience-specific
communication was critical; as was addressing sustainability from the initiation of design
development process.
Conclusions: The SUN movement facilitated the initiation of large scale stunting prevention
programing in Mozambique. However, generating local ownership through use of local evidence,
and expertise, and addressing local needs such as sustainability were critical.
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Dibari Filippo, Nhacule Julia, Ali Mussa, Goossens-Allen Tania Aburto Nancy. Challenges and Opportunities to Translate Global SUN Momentum into Action in Rural Mozambique. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety. 2015 Special issue; 5(5): 989-990.