Zinc Saves Kids on the Ground in Peru

41.6% of Peru’s population is at risk of inadequate zinc intake, making it one of the high-risk countries. 18.3% of children under five are stunted. This prevalence rises to 32% in the rural areas reaching 37% in the poorest populations.

The main objective of Zinc Saves Kids in Peru is to contribute to the improvement of child survival, growth and development, through the strengthening of national policies for the prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies – with a special emphasis on zinc – and through supporting its implementation nationwide. The goal for this objective is to reduce in 15% the stunting in children under three years old in populations with high risk of zinc deficiency in the country. Zinc Saves Kids will initially be implemented in the districts of Apurimac, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco and Lima.

This will be achieved through:

1. Advocacy to institutionalize a national policy to prevent and control micronutrient deficiency, emphasizing zinc deficiency, towards the improvement the survival, child growth and development.

This line of action seeks to ensure the institutionalization of interventions for the prevention and control of zinc deficiency by including them in regulations and standards. Advocacy activities aimed at raising the awareness on zinc deficiency will be carried out together with national, regional and local authorities in order to position the problem of micronutrient deficiency on the national agenda and to mobilize resources and actions to implement prevention and control strategies.

2. Strengthening the capacities of health and other social sector personnel in the prevention and control of zinc deficiency as part of the strategies to reduce stunting.

This line of action aims to strengthen the capacities of technical personnel from health and social sectors and programmes in the prevention and control of micronutrient deficiency to hence the survival, growth and child development. It includes training activities in complementary feeding, MNP supplementation and therapeutic zinc supplementation. The activities will be implemented in the regions where UNICEF has already been working and will be extended progressively to other regions of the country.

3. Strengthening social communication strategy to promote family practices of micronutrients consumption

This activity aims at promoting adequate complementary feeding and the consumption of multi-micronutrients supplements by demonstrating the positive impact on childhood growth, development and well-being. Educational packages and communication campaigns will be developed with the appropriate messages and targeted towards a range of audiences: families, local organizations and community leaders.

4. MNP supplementation as part of the care package for children, zinc supplementation as adjunctive therapy for diarrhea in children and local production of MNP and zinc supplement

The purpose of this activity is to encourage proper implementation of supplements as part of a comprehensive care for children. This implies, not only improving the care provided in health facilities, but also improving management mechanisms, from planning up to monitoring supplement consumption.