Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security (GT0122)

Brief description of the commitment

Based on Article 22 of the National Food and Nutrition Security System Law (SINASAN), SESAN is the institution in charge of establishing technical planning and coordination procedures between State institutions, Guatemalan society, non-governmental organizations and international cooperation agencies linked to food and nutrition security (SAN), at the different levels of the country (national, departmental, municipal and community). Currently, the Great National Crusade for Nutrition is underway; whose objective is to improve the health and nutrition of the Guatemalan population, with emphasis on children under five years of age, preschoolers and schoolchildren, women of childbearing age, rural and indigenous populations, in situations of poverty and extreme poverty. Currently, the Great National Crusade for Nutrition (GCNN) is underway. The results of the 2021-2022 GCNN baseline show that 46% of children from 0 to 59 months have chronic malnutrition; Although the methodology used in the ENSMI and the GCNN baseline methodology are different, in the absence of an ENSMI, this result can be used to determine the behavior of the indicator of chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age. at the national level. The SINSAN structure includes the following entities: National Council for Food and Nutrition Security, Departmental, Municipal and Community Commission for Food and Nutrition Security, Technical Committee for Inter-institutional Liaison. In addition, they participate in the analysis and decision making, in the group of Support Institutions (GIA) and the Instance of Consultation and Social Participation (INCOPAS).

What is the problem that the compromise seeks to address?

According to the National Maternal and Child Health Survey -ENSMI carried out in 2014-2015, 46.5% of children under five years of age have chronic malnutrition. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Guatemala ranks first in the prevalence of chronic malnutrition. In childhood under 5 years, and the sixth place worldwide.

What are the causes of the problem?

The conceptual framework of the causes of malnutrition in childhood disseminated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) proposes three large groups: a) Immediate causes: related to the inadequate intake of food and micronutrients and type diseases. infectious; b) Underlying Causes: related to food insecurity in the home, which is associated with limited availability of food, lack of access to it and its inappropriate use; c) Basic causes: related to the political, economic and ideological structures in society that regulate access to resources, education and opportunities and that ultimately determine the poverty of families.

Description of the Commitment

What has been done so far to solve the problem?

In recent years, from the political, legal, financial and technical points of view; The institutional framework of the Guatemalan SAN has been consolidated and several governments have contributed to this solidity, which has led to the establishment of new institutions, the creation of stable policies, an increase in the budget, improved ministerial articulation, opening spaces for the Comptroller General of Accounts and participation and launch new transparency and accountability instruments; This situation has led to the current positioning of the issue of FNS and chronic malnutrition on the public and private agendas. However, since chronic malnutrition is a complex and multi-causal problem, there is little progress in reducing the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age. In addition, since 2015, no other ENSMI has been carried out to measure the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in this age group. Currently, the Great National Crusade for Nutrition (GCNN) is underway. The results of the 2021-2022 GCNN baseline show that 46% of children from 0 to 59 months have chronic malnutrition; Although the methodology used in the ENSMI and the GCNN baseline methodology are different, in the absence of an ENSMI, this result can be used to determine the behavior of the indicator of chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age. at the national level.

What solution do you propose?

Facilitate access to information generated by SESAN personnel, so that users can analyze information related to the SAN.

What results do we want to achieve with the implementation of this commitment?

As part of the accountability and transparency processes, it is expected that, through the publication of open data, the user participates in the analysis and promotion of he FNS.

Engagement Analysis

How will you promote transparency in engagement?

Through the publication of open data on the page of the National Food and Nutrition Security Information System (SINSAN), related to the different activities carried out by SESAN personnel, so that they can be analyzed by users.

How will engagement help foster accountability?

Through the publication of open data on the SINSAN page.

How will citizen participation improve engagement in the definition, implementation and monitoring of solutions?

It is expected that with the access to open data generated by SESAN staff, users will participate in monitoring actions and propose solutions related to SAN.

Engagement Planning

Activities | Start Date - End Date

Activity 1 Monitoring of the publication of open data in SIINSAN, coordinated by the Open Data Committee of the same. | July 2023 - January 2024

Activity 2 Promote participation in the Technical Committee for Interinstitutional Liaison of Civil Society, through the Instance of Consultation and Social Participation -INCOPAS- (head and substitute). | July 2023 - January 2024

Activity 3 Establish training processes with the use of information and communication technologies in a virtual, synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid and faceto-face manner within the framework of governance in food and nutrition security. | July 2024 - January 2024