Learning from the integration of social protection and nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Enhancing maternal and child nutrition through the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) in Ethiopia
Learning from the integration of social protection and nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Enhancing maternal and child nutrition through the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) in Ethiopia
Multi-dimensional poverty is high in Ethiopia at 68.7% and the country remains very low on the Human Development Index at 173 out of 189 countries. Conflict in the North of the country and drought in the South have led to large numbers of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Rates of stunting, wasting and underweight remain high at 37%, 7% and 21% respectively, levels of which are expected to rise in crisis-affected regions. Key drivers of child undernutrition in Ethiopia are poor infant and young child feeding practices, maternal undernutrition, low maternal education and gender inequalities, and poverty. This is one of a series of case studies that aim to provide internal learning for UNICEF on the linkages between social protection and maternal and child nutrition programming. The Ethiopia case study illustrates how a case management approach can be used to deliver an integrated package of multi-sectoral services to vulnerable households including cash and food transfers and nutrition and health services to support child growth, development, and wellbeing.