Malnutrition is a silent crisis that robs children of their health, development, and future. It stunts growth, weakens immunity, and places immense emotional and financial strain on families. The challenges of caring for a malnourished child often limit the productivity of caregivers and burden entire households.

Muktar’s story highlights the transformative impact of nutrition support. His mother, overwhelmed by her child’s health, was referred to the Food Bank by a NUMEPLAN beneficiary. Muktar, just five months old, weighed only 3.6 kg and displayed clear signs of severe malnutrition, including excessive crying, skin folds, and noticeable thinness. He was brought in on a NUMEPLAN outreach day. Witnessing other children recovering from malnutrition restored the hope his mother needed for her own child. 

After a thorough assessment by our in-house nutritionists, Muktar was enrolled in the NUMEPLAN programme. His mother received tailored counselling, learning about the importance of nutrition and how to provide Muktar with the best possible care. To complement this, Muktar was given a variety of nutritious food items every two weeks, including fortified infant cereals and milk, to help him achieve the desired nutrition and health status.

Over the next few months, Muktar made steady progress. By the time he was 10 months old, he had doubled his weight to 7.2 kg and had a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 13.8 cm. Muktar’s journey is a powerful reminder that, with the right interventions, children suffering from malnutrition can recover, thrive, and grow into healthy, active individuals.