CENTRAL Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Godfrey Chitambala says the 2024 El Nino induced drought left several households food insecure and many still struggling to recover from the after effects.

Mr Chitambala has observed that the El Nino climatic conditions did not only dry the crop fields but depleted the food stocks and pushed the inflation up, making staples like maize and proteins unaffordable by many households.

Speaking during the orientation of the Provincial Nutrition Coordinating Committee (PNCC) members by the National Food and Commission (NFNC), Mr Chitambala said the provincial administration will support any programmes aimed at enhancing nutrition.

“I’m grateful to the National Food and Nutrition Commission and the World Food Programme for organizing this important orientation. It is my sincere hope that by the end of this orientation, we’re going to have a well-represented PNCC that will enhance the coordination of nutrition programmes in the province,” Mr Chitambala said.

NFNC Chief Executive Director Muntanga Kampengele described the 32 percent national stunting prevalence rate as challenging and that they must be brought down to acceptable levels.

Dr Kampengele said the PNCC orientation meeting was aimed at re-igniting the nutrition interventions in the province to reduce the stunting levels.