Ethiopia’s Seqota Declaration Program Makes Significant Strides in Combating Child Malnutrition
In a major public health achievement, Ethiopia’s Seqota Declaration Program has reached a significant milestone, benefiting over 1.4 million children during the 2017 fiscal year alone. This initiative, launched as part of the country’s broader strategy to tackle malnutrition—particularly among children under two years old—has become a cornerstone of national efforts to improve child health outcomes.
The Seqota Declaration is a comprehensive, multi-sectoral plan aimed at ending stunting in children under two by the year 2030. It represents Ethiopia’s commitment to addressing one of the most pressing public health challenges facing its youngest citizens. The program operates under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and involves coordinated efforts across several key sectors including health, education, agriculture, water resources, women’s affairs, and social development.
Sisay Sinamo, Senior Program Officer at the Seqota Declaration Federal Program Implementation Unit within the Ministry’s Nutrition Coordination Office, highlighted the far-reaching impact of the initiative. According to Sinamo, the program not only targets children but also extends critical support to over 2.8 million pregnant and lactating mothers nationwide. This dual focus ensures that both maternal and child nutrition are addressed simultaneously, laying the foundation for healthier early childhood development.
Initially, the program concentrated on 240 districts identified as having the highest rates of malnutrition. These areas were prioritized for targeted interventions designed to deliver essential health and nutrition services directly to communities in need. Over time, the program has expanded its reach, now covering 334 districts across the country. For the current fiscal year, the government has allocated more than 750 million Birr to ensure the continued implementation and scaling of the initiative.
One of the defining features of the Seqota Declaration Program is its emphasis on multi-sectoral collaboration. By integrating efforts from various government departments and civil society partners, the program is able to address the complex, interrelated factors that contribute to malnutrition. These include access to clean water, agricultural productivity, educational outreach, and gender-sensitive policies that empower women as primary caregivers.
A pilot phase of the program was first launched in 40 districts located in the Amhara and Tigray regions—areas historically affected by food insecurity and high rates of malnutrition. Lessons learned from this initial rollout have informed the national scale-up, with an increased focus on community ownership and the development of locally driven, sustainable solutions.
In addition to direct health interventions, the program includes robust awareness campaigns aimed at educating communities about nutrition, hygiene, and environmental factors that impact health. One notable initiative focuses on combating deforestation, which has been linked to poor nutrition outcomes due to its effect on soil degradation, food production, and overall ecosystem health.
According to recent assessments, the program has already contributed to saving more than 100,000 children from the debilitating effects of malnutrition. Moreover, it has helped prevent over 1,000 child deaths—a testament to the life-saving potential of well-coordinated, evidence-based public health initiatives.
Annual impact evaluations continue to track progress toward the 2030 goal of eliminating stunting in young children. These evaluations provide valuable data that inform policy adjustments, resource allocation, and strategic planning for future phases of the program.
As Ethiopia continues to invest in the Seqota Declaration Program, the nation moves closer to achieving a future where every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, well-nourished, and ready to reach their full potential.
