In Chad, we partner with Guinebor II Hospital – just outside the capital N’Djamena – to save the lives of very young children by tackling chronic malnutrition.

Arid semi-desert in the north and more fertile in the south, Chad is a nation whose people face acute poverty, instability and violence. Many struggle to get enough food or to access healthcare. Very young children are highly vulnerable to malnutrition, with 1 in 25 dying of it before their fifth birthday. Those who survive can go on to have lifelong health problems.

That’s why MAI is supporting Guinebor II Hospital to make improvements to young children’s nutrition which will save lives and transform health outcomes for years to come. 

What your generosity will make possible:

Just £25 can ensure that a child with acute malnutrition receives a four-week supply of life-saving food made up of peanut paste, vitamins and other vital ingredients.

The hospital team make up nutrition pots for mothers. They also show them how to make healthy food for their children.

1. Reducing anaemia in pregnant mothers. Almost half of all pregnant women in Chad are iron deficient, so the Guinebor II team provide free iron and folate supplements. This cuts the risk of mothers developing sepsis or having premature or critically underweight babies.

2. Promoting breastfeeding. Most mothers in Chad give their babies water rather than exclusively breastfeeding. It’s understandable in such a hot country, but it’s a practice that costs lives. So the team are helping mothers to start breastfeeding straight after birth and keep going for the first six months of their baby’s life. This gives the baby the best start in life and reduces the risk of the mother from getting pregnant again too quickly.

3. Offering complementary feeding. The hospital provides specially formulated, energy-dense food to help children gain weight swiftly and safely.

Your gift today will help give young children the nutrients they need to live healthy lives for years to come