LIBERIA: WASH Legislative Caucus Holds Interactive Dialogue on Nutrition
….Deliberates on National Stunting Strategy – By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – An interactive dialogue aimed at finding solution to address nutrition and stunting in Liberia has taken place at the Capitol Building in Monrovia. The dialogue was held under the auspices of the WASH Legislative Caucus at the National Legislature.
Chairman of the WASH Legislative Caucus, Senator Jonathan Kaipay of Grand Bassa County along with Representative Byron Ziahnway of Rivercess County
Speaking at the start of the dialogue, the Chairman of the WASH Legislative Caucus, Grand Bassa County Senator, Jonathan Kaipay emphasized the need for coordination to help find an amicable solution to the issues of nutrition and stunting in Liberia.
“We will need your assistance like what you did for the passage of the WASH Commission Act” Senator Kaipay asserted.
He said the Caucus needs the support of partners and Civil Society on Nutrition if significant progress must be achieved on the issues of nutrition and stunting.
Coordinator the Liberia WASH Consortium, Michael Doe
Group Photo of participants at the National Stunting Dialogue
“Up to now we have not received any document from partners and Civil Society on the amendment of the Public Health law regarding the issues of nutrition and stunting”, the Lawmaker added.
Also speaking, Rivercess County Representative, Byron Ziahway said partners and Civil Society actors should always ensure that Lawmakers form part of their deliberations of nutrition and stunting.
Representative Ziahnway who is also considered as the Champion of Nutrition, reminded partners and CSOs pushing for the amendment of the Public Health Law to present or tell them as Lawmakers which aspect of the law to be amended.
The Rivercess County Lawmaker said if they have a working tool on the Public Health Law, it could inform the decision of the Lawmakers on the issue.
Representative Ziahnway admonished CSOs and partners to always consider Lawmakers as partners in the implementation of programs.
As a medium of providing clarity on a survey conducted on nutrition recently, the Coordinator of the Liberia WASH Consortium, Michael Doe and Cassie Biggs of WaterAid made presentations during the dialogue cataloguing what has been discovered as part of the studies conducted.
(R-L) WaterAid Country Director, Chuchu Selma, Cassie Biggs-WaterAid and Michael Doe of WASH Consortium…Timothy Kpeh of United Youth (Back)
Making remarks, WaterAid Country Director, Chuchu Selma indicated that the presentations highlighted findings from a survey conducted by the Liberia WASH Consortium.
Mr. Selma noted that the presentations are the outcome of the studies conducted.
“Hopefully we will be able to provide you the nutrition cost analysis in our subsequent studies”, Mr. Selma indicated.
He described WASH as a critical factor and called for partners to exert more efforts working to address the issues of nutrition and stunting in Liberia.
United Youth coordinated the One Day WASH Legislative Caucus Interactive Dialogue on National Stunting Strategy with support from Irish Aid and WaterAid Liberia.
It brought together UNICEF, Oxfam, Liberia WASH Consortium, and SUN Civil Society, among others.
