10/08/2026
When malnutrition is identified early, children and mothers can be connected to the care they need sooner.
In Sikongo and Shangombo districts, People in Need, through the Integrated Action for Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change on the Most Vulnerable Communities in Zambia (AIM Zambia) Project, and health partners integrated malnutrition screening into Zambia’s National Oral Polio Vaccination Campaign, bringing screening closer to households and helping ensure that no vulnerable child or mother is left behind.
Over three days, Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs) and health workers screened 41,915 people, including:
• 36,422 children under five
• 16,739 boys
• 19,683 girls
• 5,494 pregnant and breastfeeding women
Those showing signs of malnutrition were referred to health facilities for further assessment and treatment where needed.
By bringing screening closer to households and integrating it with an existing community health campaign, the teams were able to reach more families, strengthen referrals, and help ensure vulnerable children and mothers are not missed.
This work is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).