The County Government of Nakuru has joined forces with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and CARE International (Kenya) to implement a transformative project. Funded by the Netherlands, the project, aptly named Catalyzing Strengthened policy action for Healthy Diets and resilience (CASCADE), aims to revolutionize food systems for enhanced nutrition.
The primary objective of CASCADE is to bolster access to and consumption of safe and healthy diets while simultaneously fortifying households against economic and climate change-related shocks. The project sets an ambitious target to reduce malnutrition, specifically targeting at least 5 million women of reproductive age and children.
This collaborative effort seeks to make improvements in food security, ensuring that the communities in Nakuru, Nairobi, and Nyandarua counties have consistent access to nutritious food. By doing so, the project envisions not only a decrease in poverty but also an increase in the resilience of households, mitigating the impact of economic fluctuations and climate change.
The core of CASCADE lies in its multifaceted approach. By improving food security, the project addresses one of the root causes of malnutrition. Simultaneously, it endeavors to contribute significantly to the reduction of malnutrition by focusing on women of reproductive age and children, a demographic often most vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies.
An introduction meeting held at the Department of Agriculture Livestock Fisheries and Veterinary Services marked the official revelation of the project. Officers from GAIN presented the collaborative initiative, shedding light on how CASCADE will enhance coordination and implementation of effective policies and legislation to elevate the nutrition status of Nakuru County.
As the project unfolds, it is expected to create a domino effect, positively impacting not just nutrition but the overall well-being of the communities involved. The Dutch-funded CASCADE project stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing how strategic collaborations and targeted interventions can catalyze positive change in agriculture, nutrition, and resilience, ultimately fostering healthier and more robust communities.
