Making Progress in HIV/AIDS and Nutrition in Central Africa

New York, November 9, 2005 – In July in Brazzaville, Congo, Helen Keller International (HKI) joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), and other NGOs at the Second Meeting of the Central Africa Nutrition Focal Point Network.  Heads of national nutrition departments from Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo and Rwanda were also present.  A member of the network since its inception in 2002, HKI was represented at the meeting by Micheline Ntiru, HKI Africa Regional Advisor, and Theophile Ntambwe, a consultant for the organization.

At the first day of the three-day meeting, participants learned about the recent activities of the network in the Central Africa region.  On the second day, the Academy for Educational Development provided current information about nutrition and HIV/AIDS.  Leading nutritionists discussed infant and young child feeding practices within the context of HIV/AIDS, marketing breast milk substitutes, and food and nutrition security for people living with HIV/AIDS.  HKI closed the meeting with an overview of the network’s progress and future plans.

Key recommendations that came out of the meeting included: (1) advocating to decision-makers to integrate nutrition in HIV/AIDS development programs; (2) creating a regional health-focused organization that addresses HIV/AIDS and nutrition; and (3) developing a framework supporting governments, international agencies, and NGOs that include HIV/AIDS and nutrition-related issues as part of their mandate.

HKI, FAO, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO provided financial and technical support for the meeting.  The next meeting will take place in Chad in 2006.