Southern African Nutrition Initiative (SANI)

SANI: Southern African Nutrition Initiative in Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi

The Southern African Nutrition Initiative (SANI) Project aims to improve the nutritional status of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and children under-5 years, while working with local health authorities and communities in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Specifically, SANI is expected to contribute to the improved health of approximately 230,000 individuals directly, and over 345,000 individuals indirectly.

SANI is a partnership between CARE, Cuso International, the Inter-Agency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), McGill University (Institute for Global Food Security), and the Governments of implementing countries. The project is funded by the Government of Canada, CARE, and the Canadian public. SANI is a four-year project, from March 2016 to March 2020.

Project Outcomes:

1. Improved nutrition practices and services for women of reproductive age and children under 5 in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
2. Improved maternal, infant and young child nutrition and gender sensitive practices for women of reproductive age and children under 5 in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
3. Strengthen governance and accountability of gender-equitable nutrition policies and programs for women of reproductive age and children under 5 in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.

Project Interventions and Activities:

1. Train and equip health care workers.
2. Improve nutrition practices.
3. Improve water, hygiene and sanitation.
4. Promote gender equality and empower women.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez, Associate Professor and Director, Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security.

Project Manager: Dr. Patrick Cortbaoui, Academic Associate and Program Director, Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security.

McGill Students:

1. Nnedimma Nnebe (PhD. Human Nutrition): Harnessing local knowledge networks for the sustainable use of wild mushrooms in northern Zambia.

1. Akankasha Sen (MSc. Human Nutrition – Graduated): Psychometric Properties of Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) as Applied in Eastern Africa.