Reducing the prevalence of chronic malnutrition (stunting) in children under 5 years of age

The Burkina Faso government, through the Ministry of Health, with the support of its partners (local authorities, key sectors and technical and financial partners), is committed to reducing the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under 5 years of age from 19% in 2024 to 18% in 2028. To achieve this, it is essential to target pregnant and adolescent women for multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) and folic acid (FAF) supplementation, prevent malaria through intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy and supervise actors during prenatal consultations associated with nutritional counselling. In addition, these actions are necessary:

• Deploy small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplementation (SQ-LNS) activities targeting children aged 6–23 months.

• Disseminate the reference documents for the implementation of the SQ-LNS strategy.

• Strengthen the capacities of actors on the SQ-LNS strategy.

• Make available SQ-LNS and FAF/MMS inputs.

• Strengthen the availability of food products through the agropastoral and fisheries offensive.

• Ensure the fortification of foods for mass consumption.

• Promote the consumption of fortified foods.

• Promote food safety.

• Raise awareness of the consumption of fortified porridge for children aged 6–23 months.

• Promote the use of SQ-LNS and MMS.

Progress will be monitored annually through the national nutrition survey carried out by the Nutrition Directorate of the Ministry of Health.