WFP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific - 2016 SPRs RBB 2016 SPRs by country | Seite 721

Standard Project Report 2016
Omelkhair's Story: How WFP Supports the Nutrition
of Nursing Mothers
Omelkhair is a 29-year old mother from Piagapo, Lanao del Sur. With a little help from the community health centre,
WFP, and the Japan Association for the World Food Programme (JAWFP), she is able to provide the right nutrition
to her daughter through breastfeeding.
WFP provides specialized nutritious food to more than 500 pregnant and nursing women like Omelkhair in Piagapo,
thanks to financial support from JAWFP. WFP also works with local government partners to ensure that mothers
have the right knowledge in terms of nutrition, proper diet, health care, hygiene and sanitation. They are
encouraged to regularly visit the health centre for counselling and to monitor their child's weight and height.
Omelkhair lives just a few metres away from the rural health centre in the Municipality of Piagapo. Omelkhair and
her four-month-old daughter, Jamica, just came back from a visit to the health centre as part of WFP's stunting
prevention project in their area. Omelkhair gestures for us to sit down with her and her four other children. Below
are excerpts of the conversation between Omelkhair and WFP.
We first met you at the health centre today. What was the purpose of your visit to the health centre? I went
there because Jamica had the flu. Dr. Rasmia gave her medicines and vitamins because she says my daughter
needs the vitamins. The health centre has been very helpful for my family. I visit the centre at least once every
month. I even gave birth to my youngest daughter at the health centre. All five of my children, from my eldest son to
my youngest daughter, have been to the health centre. I consult with the doctor if they are sick, and all of them have
received their complete immunisations and specialized nutritious food from WFP.
How about you, have you received specialized nutritious food from WFP? Yes, I also receive the nutritious
food from WFP. For this month, I was given four jars of Plumpy'Doz. I was told to eat three tablespoons each day,
and I need to finish all four jars in one month. This food is important—especially for nursing mothers like me—to eat
on top of my regular meal because it has added nutrients which help me while breastfeeding my child.
How do you ensure that your children are healthy? I make sure they eat healthy foods—rice, vegetables, fish
and milk. They need those foods to become healthy. For Jamica, I breastfeed her every day, so she will grow
healthy. A mother's milk is more nutritious than the milk bought from a store.
How have you found breastfeeding Jamica so far? Breastfeeding has been a challenge, especially during
Ramadan. It is difficult because fasting makes me hungry, and I lack energy especially during the midday. So far, I
am glad that my breastmilk has been enough so that I can feed my daughter throughout the day.
Is there anything you would like to say to WFP's donors who are funding this nutrition support in your
community? I would like to say thank you to the donors of WFP for giving us Plumpy'Doz. When I breastfeed, I
know that my daughter's nutrition is ensured, and she is becoming healthier. I would also like to thank the rural
health unit's doctor and midwives because they work hard to make sure that we receive the Plumpy'Doz.
Philippines, Republic of the (PH)
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Single Country PRRO - 200743