The newly introduced VUP component termed “Nutrition Sensitive Direct Support” (NSDS) is transforming lives of beneficiaries for the better. Granted in form of cash transfers to vulnerable pregnant women and lactating mothers from Ubudehe Category One, this kind of support was brought in by the Government of Rwanda (GoR) in a bid to address the trending issues of malnutrition and stunting statistically rated at 38% (DHS 2015). The GoR committed to reduce it to 15% by 2024.

Among other efforts provided to fight malnutrition and stunting by different stakeholders operating in the health sector, consultations have led to decide that the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) through Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), implements a new VUP Nutrition Sensitive Direct Support scheme to the attention of extremely poor pregnant women and children between 0 to 24 months of age.

NSDS has dual objectives: to provide income support to poor and vulnerable pregnant women, new mothers and young children, allowing for adequate consumption and improved diet; and to incentivize uptake of key health and nutrition services and behavioural change. Implemented since the last five months after diligent selection of beneficiaries, those who already got this support are praising the GoR for this special health care treatment. A recent tour in Gicumbi, Burera and Nyabihu Districts provided us with the following testimonies.

“I was given 22,500 Frw for the last term. Thanks to this money I can now afford buying fruits and preparing balanced diet for my kid. I can also purchase good clothes for him and myself as I go to attend post natal care visit at the health centre”, declared Mrs. Uzamukunda Vestine, resident of Nyankenke, Gicumbi.

Another interesting testimony was picked from Manishimwe Clémentine, resident of Jabana, Nyabihu. “My child was presenting signs of malnutrition. I was approached by the Heath Care Giver and local leaders and they gave me some fortified blended food. I was advised how to prepare a kitchen garden for planting vegetables and how to cook balanced diet for my kids. Then I was lucky to be given a support worth 22,500 Frw. Our welfare has really improved”, she said.

Mr. GATSINZI Justine, Division Manager in charge of Social Protection at LODA, stated that “over the last five months, about 9,000 beneficiaries got this support and this has made positive impact at not only at health care level but also at the mind-set level in fighting malnutrition and stunting amongst extremely poor households. Before the real implementation this programme, eligible beneficiaries were estimated around 50,000 in seventeen Districts where prevail malnutrition, stunting and extreme poverty”.

The NSDS programme is implemented in seventeen Districts with the highest prevalence of stunting (DHS 2015). These are Bugesera, Kayonza, Burera, Gicumbi, Gakenke, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Huye, Gisagara, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, and Ruhango.  Beneficiaries of NSDS are entitled to an amount of 7,500 Frw per month which is disbursed on a quarterly basis. A budget worth 20,000,000 million USD has been planned to be injected into this three year programme.