The Civil Society Organizations Nutrition Alliance, We Effect and Farmers Union of Malawi have called for coordination among its different structures in a bid to ensure that the citizenry is kept abreast on food fortification and its health benefits.

CSONA National Coordinator Joseph Gausi has told Zodiak Online today, that harmonisation of efforts on food fortification can best bear fruits if there is a national nutrition advocacy committee to oversee the advocacy efforts from regional committees.

"We have regional committees and they work based on the needs of their area, so now we want them to have a harmonized ToRs, this will enhance coordination," said Gausi.

For this the Nutrition led organisation held an elective conference to elect members of the National Nutrition Advocacy Committee, a body that has been tasked to play an oversight role in the execution of nutrition led effort.

Russel Msiska has been elected as the National Nutrition Advocacy Committee chairperson with a commitment to raising awareness on the benefits of eating fortified foods, describing them as essential in the realization of full development of human potential.

Msiska added that studies have shown that there is a local demand for fortified foods in many communities hence a call for an increased advocacy for  fortified foods and their availability.

The elected  National Executive Committee is comprising of the following members.

Chairperson: Russel Msiska of Southern Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

Deputy Chairperson: Edgar Phiri Northern Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.
 
SecretaryRachel Kalima Eastern Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

Vice Secretary: Charles Tepeka Central Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

Treasure: Jenipher Msomba Northern Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

Executive Committee Members have been drafted:

Linda Alimoso Southern Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

Alfred Msaliwa Eastern Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

Mike Dansa Southern Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

Precious Phiri Central Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

Osborne Nyirongo Central  Region CSO Nutrition Coalition.

We Effect and Farmers Union are implementing a project called "Nourishing futures: Empowering Malawi’s Civil Society for Sustainable Nutrition with funding from EU to Support local CSOs in capacity building, advocacy and initiatives in food fortification and infant foods at national and local level in the country.