In a surprise development Women and Children First will be able to continue working in Kenya to research and develop community health groups, involving fathers in a bid to improve their children’s health and nutrition.
UK Aid Funding for this project has been restored, meaning the project with our partner can continue and children can benefit.
The original proposed cut to funding had meant that there would only be the opportunity to understand the role of men in children’s health – but not to develop a community health group model to strengthen their involvement.
With the funding restored by UK Aid, Women and Children First will be able to continue the project, working with our partner and Kenyan fathers and families to come up with the solutions they need to improve their children’s health.
This is particularly important given the scale of malnutrition in Kenya. 25% of all under-5s – over 1.8 million children – suffer from chronic malnutrition, leaving smaller, tired children. Wider impacts include illnesses and consequences for economic and workforce productivity, the equivalent of a loss of $38.3 billion US dollars over a generation according to US Aid.
Mikey Rosato, Chief Executive at Women and Children First, explains, “Working with men is seen as particularly important to the success of this project, given the importance of gender roles and relations in the country.
“It is good news that the funding has been restored to continue this project to completion. In Kenya we are hopeful again that many more children and their families will benefit from improved health and nutrition.
“However, it is unclear why we have been so fortunate when many more charities have not been so lucky. This is rare.
“The impact of UK Aid cuts elsewhere is that children will starve and people will die. Too many other projects have been cancelled, downsized or thrown into uncertainty.
“Staff have been facing weeks of extreme stress and anxiety, trying to scramble to find alternative funds, with their jobs on the line and projects half completed.
“Our sympathies are with the beneficiaries and also the organisations, staff and projects impacted. Many people are still adversely affected. One piece of good fortune does not cancel out the chaos caused elsewhere.
“I encourage others to continue to join lobbying action, campaigning with their MPs about the damage these aid cuts are causing right now – and will continue to have worldwide.
“I also want to extend my thanks to all our wonderful supporters who have helped support us in response to the initial news of the cuts. The charity’s achievements in helping women and children survive and thrive is only possible thanks to their funding and generosity.”