DIVINE'S KITCHEN GARDEN AND THE UN'S NUTRITION TRANSFORMATION IN REFUGEE CAMPS

In the heart of Mahama refugee camp, we find Kabageni Divine, a 35-year-old mother who has transformed her life through the power of a simple kitchen garden. A one-by-one-meter plot of fresh vegetables next to her house has become a source of life and joy for Divine and her five children. 

Divine's journey is linked to the supported under the Nutrition joint programme that involves various agencies including the WFP, UNHCR, WHO, FAO and UNICEF in close collaboration with the Government through the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA). 

Through skill-building initiatives undertaken in partnership with Plan International, Divine has cultivated her kitchen garden, ensuring her family has a ready supply of fresh produce.  

The establishment of over 10,000 kitchen gardens in the five refugee camps across Rwanda, coupled with green vegetable nurseries in host communities, has aimed to combat chronic malnutrition, averaging at 19.4 per cent across all camps. The prevalence of anemia, particularly among children and pregnant women, remains a challenge, prompting concerted UN efforts to address this issue. 

Kitchen gardens play a pivotal role in providing refugees with access to fresh vegetables, contributing to improved dietary diversity. 

“In the past, I lacked knowledge on how to feed my children,” said Divine. “With knowledge I gained from the nutrition programme, I now feed my children well,” she added. 

The UN's nutrition as well as social and behaviour change programmes, focus on sustainable solutions to empower refugee parents like Divine with the necessary skills and knowledge about child nutrition. 

“A diet rich in vegetables has significantly improved nutrition in camps,” said Phocas Murwanashyaka, a nutrition project coordinator from Plan International serving as UN implementing partner on nutrition activities in refugee camps. “Balanced diet promote good health, protects children and breastfeeding mothers against diseases, and promotes children’s healthy growth,” he added. 

The UN uses community platforms, such as mother-to-mother and father-to-father support groups, as channels for disseminating crucial Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition messages. These platforms encourage dialogue on balanced diets, exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, good sanitation and hygiene practices, and the importance of gender equality in combating malnutrition.  

Divine, now well-versed in the importance of minimum meal frequency and clean eating, highlights the impact of these practices on children's health. Clean eating principles, emphasizing natural, locally sourced foods, are deemed crucial for nutritional well-being. The minimum dietary diversity, aiming at the consumption of four or more food groups daily, is advocated for higher dietary quality. 

While challenges persist, with some camps facing higher rates of acute malnutrition, stunting, and anemia, concerted efforts through education, community engagement, and resource provision are underway. Divine's story echoes the broader nutrition transformation occurring in Rwandan camps, with the UN and communities sowing the seeds of behaviour change for a healthier and more resilient refugee community, even in the face of funding challenges.