In Nigeria, 75% of children under five years suffer from anaemia – Unilever
Unilever today announced it is spearheading efforts to help reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in Nigeria, especially among women and adolescent girls through Knorr Force For Good programme.
In Nigeria, almost one in two women of reproductive age and 75% of children under five years suffer from anaemia. 50% of these cases are caused by a lack of iron in the body, which is often diet-related. Some of the early symptoms of anaemia are fatigue and decreased ability to work and people with anaemia are also associated with an increased risk of mortality and cognitive loss in those who survive.
A Scientific Study with the University of Ibadan indicated that 41% of respondents from the states visited, Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna, Abuja and Kogi, had started adding leafy, iron fortified vegetables and iron fortified cubes to their stew.
By end of 2017 the Force For Good programme will have reached 20 million direct and indirect contacts and the aim is to reach 100 million by 2020. One state where the programme has been particularly successful is in Kaduna where Unilever Nigeria has partnered with the Kaduna State Government to empower women and teenage girls through Knorr Force For Good and Women’s Empowerment Shakti. Partnerships like this are vital in helping Unilever Nigeria reach as many people as possible.
Reducing environmental impact by half
Unilever Nigeria said it aims to cultivate habits that reduce the environmental footprint of its customers. For example, by encouraging the recycling of all packaging and looking at ways to reduce consumers energy and water consumption.
“Unilever also looks at its own supply chain and waste generated from the company’s factory sites is reused or recycled, with structures in place to measure real-time consumption of utilities such as water, steam, energy and power, enabling the effective monitoring of resources used per unit, ensuring reduction,” the company stated.