In our efforts to reach the most vulnerable children, HRI is launching a nutritional support program for children between 6 months and 5 years of age in Guatemala beginning on July 1st. Guatemala, with the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, faces a serious challenge to reduce chronic under-nutrition, currently at 49.3% among children under 5. (Source: WFP, 2010)
Building on our core focus of alleviating childhood hunger, HRI plans to reach 150 youngsters in the “dry corridor” of the country with this program. Those children identified as suffering from under and malnutrition will receive 1-2 supplemental meals each day, in accordance with international standards set by the World Food Programme and UNICEF (the UN Children’s Fund).