Infants and young child feeding practices and immunization vaccines are mandatory requirements as they are considered a core component of health services and a right to decrease several morbidities and develop a healthier life for infants and children. Due to lack of awareness on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), the Lebanese Organization of Studies and Training (LOST), in partnership with UNICEF, launched a project to increase community awareness of 17,000 women on IYCF in the vulnerable localities in Baalbeck-Hermel cadaster.
Hundreds of mothers in Baalbeck, Douris, Nabi Chit, Britel, Hermel, Qaa, Harbata, Labwe, Ain, Fekhe, Ras Baalbeck, Ersal, Chaat, Maqne, Younin, Ainata, Yamouni, Iaat, Chlifa, Taraya, Chemstar, Kfardabach, Bedneyel, Hawch Al Rafiqa, Tamnin Al Fawka, Sareen Al Tahta, Khriebe, Boudai and Janta will benefit from this five-month program which will directly contribute to an awareness increase about the best practices pertaining to breastfeeding and vaccination.
The project organizes informal gatherings and door-to-door visits to spread information and create new awareness about purely motherly topics that highly count into the physical, mental, and psychological build-up of the coming generations. To root the new concept, specialized brochures are being distributed for the participants throughout the project.
This program provides avenues for a healthier community in Baalbeck-Hermel. It shows a new intervention LOST and UNICEF are putting efforts into in a region whose residents need more similar programs that can cover the sharply increasing needs.