Sensitisation of Traditional Leaders on the MCBM Progamme

The Food and Nutrition Council conducted Traditional leaders’ sensitization meetings on the Multi-sectoral Community Based Model for addressing food and nutrition insecurity to reduce stunting (MCBM) programme across the nine districts of Murehwa, Mutoko, Hwange, Beitbridge, Insiza, Binga, Nkayi, Kariba and Zvimba. The meetings were held between the 16th and 19th of September 2019 and were attended by Chiefs, Headmen and Councilors. The purpose of the meetings was to secure the concrete commitment of traditional leaders to the programme. It also served as a platform for outlining the roles and responsibilities of the community leaders in food and nutrition programmes as well as updating the traditional leaders on the food and nutrition situation in their respective districts.

Since traditional leaders are fully connected with their communities, their involvement as agents of change towards optimal food and nutrition security is fundamental to the MCBM approach. This is one of the critical lessons that has been learnt in the implementation of the MCBM since its pilot and scale-up phases.