Reducing Malnutrition in Vulnerable Rwandan Communities by Enhancing Their Drought Resilience

Undernutrition and household food insecurity remain a challenge in Rwanda. Despite the recent nationally improved living conditions, over 18% population experiences chronic food insecurity. Most food-insecure households have limited or no access to sufficient, nutritious food needed to live a healthy life leading to various types of malnutrition and increased risk of illnesses. Currently, 33.1% of children under 5 years are stunted, with 6.7% suffering from acute malnutrition. Adolescent mothers and their children are particularly more vulnerable with food and financial needs being their top priorities, where 21% of teenage girls have children. In sub-Saharan Africa, firstborn children of girls under 18 have a 33% higher risk of stunting. Over 86% of Rwandans rely on subsistence farming, but the majority face chronic food insecurity due to water scarcity and droughts, soil infertility, lack of fertilizer and seeds, and inadequate agricultural support programs.