Multi-sector collaboration to improve nutrition

Giving kids a stronger start to life

Globally, around 162 million children under five suffer from stunting—the outcome of chronic nutritional deficiency over time. It’s visible when their height is too low for their age, but it’s the effects that matter. Children who are stunted have a greater risk of illness, impaired cognitive development and lower educational attainment. That’s why nutrition isn’t just a health problem. There’s evidence we need a multi-sector approach.

Through Hamutuk, we’re working with KONSSANTIL (the National Council on Food Security, Food Sovereignty and Nutrition) to integrate many sectors: agriculture, education, water, sanitation, family planning, maternal and child health, and social inclusion.

Using innovative technologies, we’re enhancing collaboration across a twenty-organisation partnership and helping influence family behaviours. That includes washing hands, keeping girls in school and growing nutritious foods. Community-based partners use our mobile app to gather information about families, share digital content and collaborate with other organisations. It builds a profile for families over time so we know the kinds of behaviour change messages to share. It allows partners to add on to each other’s previous visits, meaning they don’t have to double up on data collection. Our online platform provides a dashboard to enhance coordination and reporting, which helps the Government of Timor-Leste make more informed policy decisions.