|
Ecuador Fights Child Malnutrition
Quito - The government of Ecuador is
promoting a National Program of Integral Nutritional
Territorial Intervention, INTI, to put an end to
child malnutrition.
Ecuador President Rafael Correa launched the program
in the locality of Tixan, in the province of
Chimborazo, where he also announced their
declaration to fight this cruel evil of society, so
as to allow integral development and a better
society.
The eradication of child malnutrition is a social
activity that can no longer wait, he said.
According to the Ministry Coordinator of Social
Development, MCDS, 26 percent of children under five
years old in Ecuador suffer from malnutrition, but
in the mountains the number of infants may top the
50 percent mark.
Ecuadorian leader also said this problem, caused by,
among other things, the growing rate of poverty,
also negatively affects a child's ability to learn.
We have destined a 33 million dollar-package so as
to end it, he stressed. How can it be that this
country spent 14 millions for Ecuador Miss Universe
Pageant in 2004 and the same quantity or more is not
available to fight this tragedy of infants?, he
asked.
He also announced another program, aimed at
initiating a campaign to aid and relocate those
children and adolescents whose lives revolve around
garbage dumps. Official data revealed the national
government has already rescued 1,524 minors living
around dumps, in conditions of high risk for their
health, who were then returned to schools. |
|
