During the week of October 27 to 31, a nutritionist from the Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture component of the Vice Ministry of Food and Nutritional Security (VISAN) accompanied food assistance deliveries for families with children suffering from acute malnutrition in several municipalities in Totonicapán. The areas served included San Francisco el Alto, Santa María Chiquimula, Santa Lucía la Reforma, San Andrés Xecul, San Cristóbal Totonicapán, and Momostenango.
The nutrition professional instructed families on how to use the distributed foods correctly. Guidance was provided on mixing products to maximize nutritional value. Families were also taught to check expiration dates and store food properly. Parents were encouraged to continue bringing their children to health posts for weight and height monitoring. In total, 118 families with children experiencing acute malnutrition received support.
As part of the program, extension workers from the Municipal Rural Extension Agencies (AMER) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) distributed seeds and seedlings such as cilantro, radish, cabbage, broccoli, and amaranth so that families could start home gardens.
Engineers from AMER offered both practical and theoretical training related to planting, caring for, and storing seeds given out during the distribution. The aim is for families to establish productive and sustainable home gardens.
Field professionals stated: "We will provide constant follow-up with beneficiary families to ensure crops develop properly and contribute to improving household food security and nutrition as well as promote family farming practices and self-consumption in the community."
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