Reports from an International Rescue Committee survey show that an alarming 22% of children under the age of five are malnourished in the worst affected areas of the country by the current food crisis. The IRC’s survey in the Kakuma division, Turkana north, found that almost 40% of local people were surviving on just one meal a day. Malnutrition rates among children under the age of five were 22% which is significantly much higher than the standard rate of 15% which the World Health Organization uses to determine an emergency situation.

IIMSAM aspires to make Spirulina which was described by the United Nations World Food Conference of 1974 as the “best food for the future”, as a key-driver to eradicate malnutrition, achieve food security and bridge the health divide with a special priority for the developing and the least developed countries.

IIMSAM’s East & Central Africa Spirulina Programme uses Spirulina to eradicate various pathologies and deprivations associated with malnutrition amongst disabled children and others suffering from malnutrition.

As IIMSAM’s Goodwill Ambassadors, the Obamas are assisting and facilitating the cause of IIMSAM to utilize Spirulina which is being cultivated locally by the IIMSAM East & Central Africa Spirulina Programme and its inherent benefits to eradicate malnutrition and associated pathologies amongst children and adults that are malnourished and also amongst populace that has HIV/AIDS. The very programme while establishing lasting capacities and capabilities not only provides employment to the locale in a country where the unemployment rates are alarmingly high but also localizes the benefits and other spillover effects associated with Spirulina cultivation.