The Multi-sectoral National Food and Nutrition Strategy Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Steering Committee (MER SC) quarterly review meeting was held on March 30, 2023, in Bishoftu town, Oromia region. The meeting was organized by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) with financial support from UNICEF and NIPN Ethiopia. About 31 participants from different sectors attended the meeting, including ministries, universities, research institutes, and partner organizations.
The primary objective of the meeting was to review the progress made in the implementation of the FNS strategy over the past nine months. This presentation highlighted the achievements and challenges encountered by different sectors. The FNS baseline survey findings were also presented and discussed. These findings will be used to make informed decisions to address the country's undernutrition and related challenges.
A study finding on the impact of nutrition interventions in reducing low birth weight was also presented. The study showed that nutrition interventions can significantly reduce low birth weight, which is a major risk factor for infant mortality and morbidity. The findings of the joint supportive supervision on FNS implementation, which were aimed at strengthening the coordination and collaboration among different sectors in the implementation of the strategy, was also presented.
Furthermore, the meeting included presentations on studies conducted by Addis Ababa University for the past 15 years. These studies highlighted the challenges and opportunities for improving the implementation of the strategy and provided recommendations for future actions.
