Location
Choma District
Choma District • Improving Nutrition and Health Outcomes in Choma District
Improving Nutrition and Health Outcomes in Choma District
Partners
Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Status
Active
About This Project
The Improving Nutrition and Health Outcomes in Choma District project is an integrated intervention implemented in Southern Province, Zambia. The project addresses the growing food and nutrition crisis driven by climate shocks, particularly drought, which has affected food systems, water access, and household wellbeing.
In Choma District, many households face critical food shortages, rising malnutrition rates among children and women, and limited access to clean water. Poor dietary diversity and poverty further worsen health outcomes, especially for children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The project was designed to improve nutrition and health outcomes through integrated interventions in nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and livelihoods.
Partners and Support
The project is implemented by Keepers Zambia Foundation (KZF) in collaboration with government stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, District Health Office, Ministry of Agriculture, and community-based volunteers.
Project Locations
Southern Province
- Choma
Key Objectives
Reducing acute malnutrition among children and mothers
Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
Strengthening household food security and resilience
Building capacity of health workers and community volunteers
Key Activities
Nutrition Screening and Support
Households were screened to identify cases of malnutrition, and affected children and mothers were supported with therapeutic food and nutrition interventions.
Food Security and Livelihoods
Community groups were established and supported with vegetable seeds and livestock such as goats to improve household nutrition and income.
Nutrition Education and Behaviour Change
Caregivers were trained on balanced diets and food preparation using locally available foods. Community outreach, including radio programmes, was used to promote behaviour change.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
The project improved access to safe water through water quality testing, distribution of water treatment supplies, and rehabilitation of water infrastructure.
Capacity Building
Health workers and community-based volunteers were trained to deliver integrated nutrition and WASH services at community level.
Project Impact
500
Households supported with integrated nutrition, WASH, and livelihood interventions
932
Cases of malnutrition identified, with 500 severe cases receiving targeted support
293
Children and 207 pregnant and breastfeeding women directly supported
490
Goats distributed, increasing to over 636 through pass-on systems
Over 4,600 people reached through water safety and WASH interventions
Increased dietary diversity and improved child feeding practices among households
Strengthened community awareness and behaviour change on nutrition and hygiene
Improved access to safe water and reduced health risks associated with poor sanitation
Project Gallery
Photos from our work on the ground