RUTF - 10th August 2022

A nutrient-dense peanut paste, used to prevent child starvation in disasters across the globe, can mean the difference between life and death in drought hit regions of Kenya.

James Jarso works for World Vision in Kenya.

James Jarso: "As I say it is about life-saving. If children are not screened, children die as a result of malnutrition. The effect of drought, three years down the line, no rain."

However, the paste, called RUTF or ready-to-use-therapeutic food, is in short supply and prices have risen over 23 percent since May 2021. UNICEF, who distribute almost 80 percent of the world's supply, say this is down to the war in Ukraine and the pandemic.

Ukraine is a major exporter of sunflower oil, wheat and other grains. The war has affected the price and availability of the powdered milk, vegetable oils and sugar, which alongside peanuts make up the paste. It's also driven up fuel prices making transportation expensive.

Invented 25 years ago, it has proved revolutionary in treating extreme wasting in underfed children. A single sachet delivers 500 calories and essential vitamins and minerals. It can be eaten directly from the packet and doesn't require refrigeration. An essential requirement in areas like northern Kenya, where even clean water is in short supply.

The Horn of Africa is experiencing the worst drought in generations and 1.7 million children are facing the most lethal kind of starvation. James Jarso fears that without the peanut paste, many more children will die.

James Jarso: "If we run out of this, more deaths would be recorded very soon actually, very soon. We lost a child, I saw. We actually referred four of them to Marsabit County referral hospital. One died - we lost him. Three of them survived. So, this one is life-saving. Without this, more children will die."