Helen Keller International Receives Funding from GAIN to Lead National Food Fortification Project in Côte d’Ivoire

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, July 11, 2005 – Helen Keller International (HKI) will lead a national food fortification project in Côte d’Ivoire designed to improve the health of more than 14 million people by combating vitamin and mineral deficiency.  The funding for the project is being provided by a US$3 million grant from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) as well as by contributions from the private sector and government of Côte d’Ivoire.  Côte d’Ivoire State Minister for Health and Population, Dr. Albert Toikeusse Mabri, who also serves as the President of the National Fortification Alliance, Françoise Chomé, GAIN Senior Portfolio Manager, and Shawn Baker, HKI Regional Director for Africa, were present at the official signing of the project in Abidjan.

Despite the challenges of the current political climate, the project seeks to achieve fortification of all vegetable oil and wheat flour produced in Côte d’Ivoire within the next three years.  Through a public-private partnership, the country’s two oil processors will fortify palm and cottonseed oils with vitamin A, while the country’s single wheat flour miller will fortify wheat flour with folic acid and iron. Consumption of foods made with or supplemented by these products will meet 50% of a person’s daily need for vitamin A and 30% for folic acid and iron.

GAIN’s generous grant will fund the purchase of vitamin and mineral premix during the first year of the project.  As the lead implementing agency, HKI will provide technical assistance, strengthen quality control systems within the public domain, support a campaign to raise awareness about the consumption of fortified foods, and conduct an evaluation of the progress and success of the project.  HKI’s goal is to deliver the fortified oil and flour to 80% of consumers in the country, with a special emphasis on poor and at-risk populations.

“Helen Keller International is honored by the confidence that the National Fortification Alliance and GAIN have shown in us through choosing HKI as the Lead Implementing Agency,” said Mr. Baker.  “This initiative will make a major contribution to meeting the Millennium Development Goal of reduction of child deaths by two-thirds by the year 2015 in Côte d’Ivoire.  Cooking oil produced in Côte d’Ivoire is sold throughout West Africa, and this project will help promote a culture of food fortification throughout the region.”

In Côte d’Ivoire, 31% of children under the age of five suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which disproportionately affects children in disadvantaged communities.  Without programs to eliminate vitamin A deficiency, such as food fortification and supplementation with capsules, 50,000 children will die between now and 2006, accounting for 18% of child mortality.  At the same time, iron-deficiency anemia affects 60% of pregnant women, 50% of women of childbearing age, and approximately 45% of preschool- and school-age children.  Folic acid deficiency contributes to an elevated number of cases of spina bifida.  This program will address all of these health problems.

“Fortifying commonly consumed foods in Côte d’Ivoire and other countries offers incredibly good value for each development dollar,” stated Mr. Jay Naidoo, Chairman of GAIN’s Board of Directors.  “Benefits can be delivered to the poorest consumers outside the traditional health sector, through the actions of food companies.”  Côte d’Ivoire is the sixth country to receive a grant for a national food fortification program from GAIN.