Plumpy’nut at work, saving children in East Africa

At a refugee camp in Kenya, a Somali mother feeds PlumpyNut to her malnourished child. Photo: Laura Sheahen/CRS

With drought and famine striking East Africa, children are at great risk of severe andeven deadly malnutrition. What can save the children? Plumpy’nut, a special peanut paste which aid agenices are using in the field right now.

Laura Sheahen of CRS shares these two photos of  plumpy’nut at work in a refugee camp in Kenya, where many Somalis have fled in search of food.  Children under age 5 are most at risk in a hunger crisis because without the right nutrients they can suffer lasting physical and mental damage. So quick intervention is the key.

If you want to save children then give them plumpy’nut. How do you do this? One way is through the Catholic Relief Services East Africa Emergency Fund. Please see my article on the CRS appeal.

Also Edesia, a Rhode Island based producer of plumpy’nut, is collecting funds for East Africa. Read more about Edesia here.