Nawiri Desk Study: Drivers of Child Malnutrition in Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

It was prepared by Anastasia Marshak of the Feinstein International Center, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. The report aims to provide an overview of the existing evidence base and evidence gaps around the immediate and underlying drivers of child malnutrition in Marsabit and Isiolo counties in Kenya, as well as neighboring arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) counties with similar climatic conditions. The study focuses on the drivers of acute malnutrition, including inadequate dietary intake, disease, insufficient household food security, inadequate social and care environment, and insufficient health services and unhealthy environment. The report summarizes the key findings in the literature and provides recommendations for the Nawiri program, which aims to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in the Kenya ASALs.