Angola Nutrition Gap Analysis

Abstract

Despite remarkable economic growth in the past decade, undernutrition remains a serious public health problem in Angola. High rates of child stunting and micronutrient deficiencies are contributing to an under-five mortality rate of 161 deaths per 1,000 live births, limiting the growth and development of children, hindering productivity, and preventing the country from reaching millennium development goals one and four. In response to this situation, the objectives of this report are to: a) synthesize available information on the nutrition situation in Angola; b) discuss the three main determinants of undernutrition using the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) conceptual framework; c) summarize existing nutrition policies and programs in the country; and d) propose next steps for action. Nutrition policy agenda is slowly gaining momentum in the country. The national food security and nutrition strategy released in 2009 include nutrition actions for children under five. The national nutrition policy is in the process of being finalized. High priority problems include the dearth of up-to-date, reliable, and comprehensive information on the nutrition situation in the country, severe shortages of trained nutritionists, and an exclusion of nutrition from community-based health activities. The following recommendations are proposed as next steps: 1) incorporate the collection of nutrition data into routine, planned surveys; 2) finalize the national nutrition policy, conduct a rigorous gap analysis, and develop a costed implementation plan to effectively scale-up nutrition activities in the country; 3) enhance capacity building efforts in the field of nutrition; 4) improve nutrition surveillance and screening activities and; 5) incorporate nutrition into community-based activities.