Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison and General Lucien Rabearimanana (senior advisor) attended the inauguration ceremony of the new headquarters of the National Nutrition Office in Nanisana yesterday. (left to right)
"The rate of chronic malnutrition in Madagascar has decreased from 39% in 2021 to 37% in 2025," stated Fanja Rakotondrainibe, national coordinator of the National Nutrition Office (ONN), during the inauguration of the ONN's new headquarters yesterday in Nanisana. This infrastructure was financed by the World Bank.
Despite this positive development, acute malnutrition remains concerning. Approximately one in three children under five is affected, particularly in the southern and southeastern regions, as well as in certain areas of Antananarivo and the North.
Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison also announced the need to increase the budget of the National Nutrition Office. The fight against malnutrition is among the priorities of the Malagasy government.
According to him, poverty remains one of the main causes of malnutrition. This situation requires the implementation of multisectoral strategies. Facing this urgency, the State intends to strengthen its commitment to better protect the health and lives of the population.
To this end, he asked the national coordinator of the ONN to establish a "Basket Fund," a common fund designed to mobilize contributions from Malagasy citizens and strengthen the momentum of national solidarity in the fight against malnutrition.
Mialisoa Ida