Out of the 90 children in the eleven communities in Labasa and Seaqaqa areas who have had full nutritional assessments, 45% have been found to be suffering from stunting while more than 30% were underweight.
These statistics come after the Save the Children Fiji conducted a baseline survey in 22 informal settlement communities across the country.
Save the Children Fiji CEO, Raijeli Nicole said the statistics were the worst for children in the North.
Nicole said these figures are much higher than what they expected before undertaking the research but as the dry weather continues to worsen across the country, they are increasingly worried that more children under the age of 5 will be affected by nutritional deficits.
Save the Children Fiji is organizing an annual “Race for Survival” focusing on preventing water borne diseases during the drought as children suffering from under-nutrition are also likely to get sick with preventable illnesses.
The annual “Race for Survival” event will be held tomorrow at the Guru Nanak School Oval in Labasa from 9am to midday.
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