Irish Aid seminar – Shit Stunts: Refocusing Priorities in Nutrition and WaSH

Integration of Nutrition and WaSH programmes was the key topic discussed at the multi sectorial panel seminar hosted by Irish Aid, the IFGH and the Development Studies Association of Ireland on the 19th May.

Jacinta Greene and Dr. Sean Farren of DSA Ireland introduced the panel of speakers, consisting of Professor Robert Chambers, Research Associate at the Institute of Development Studies; Niall Roche, WaSH / Environmental Health consultant; Mags Gaynor of Irish Aid; and Kate Golden, Senior Nutrition Advisor to Concern Worldwide. Attendees drew from anthropologists, health professionals, nutritionists, WaSH advisers, NGO programme managers, researchers and policy makers.

Below are links to the seminar’s presentations, etc:

Blog post by Siobhan Nestor, Clinical Nutritionist, gives an excellent summary of the seminar. One of the areas discussed was “Baby WaSH” which was proposed by Kate Golden as a revolutionary area for further development and implementation into nutrition and WaSH programs. Simple strategic measures such as provision of protected area for children to play or rest away from contaminated areas with faeces, soil, washing practices, handwashing by the caregiver, and exclusive breastfeeding for six months and boiling drinking water were all cited as effective hygiene interventions.
http://www.dsaireland.org/blog/2015/05/28/shit-stunts-refocusing-priorities-in-nutrition-and/

Presentations from this seminar are at:
http://www.dsaireland.org/news/2015/06/04/presentations-from-nutrition-and-wash-integration/

Keynote Address: