Mali Seeks to Improve Nutrition with Cash Transfer Programs

In Mali, nearly half of child deaths under five are linked to malnutrition, with over 26% of children suffering from stunted growth. The country also has high rates of acute malnutrition, with around 2% experiencing severe acute malnutrition. To address this, the government is exploring cash transfer programs to improve access to nutritious food and essential services. These programs can help bridge economic barriers, allowing vulnerable households to access a diverse and nutritious diet. However, existing programs often lack explicit nutrition objectives and are not designed to measure their contribution to nutrition outcomes. A recent study highlights the need for more targeted and harmonized approaches to cash transfer programs, particularly those that integrate nutrition-specific criteria and indicators.