Stories
November 20, 2024 • 3 min read
In Uganda's Agago district, anaemia is a widespread problem, affecting more than half of the children under five and one-third of women. This poses significant public health challenges. With the support of GOAL's Humanitarian Innovation Fund, the Lucky Iron Fish initiative is helping to address these issues in the affected communities.
The Issue: Pervasive Anaemia in Uganda’s Agago District
In Uganda’s Agago district, the pervasive issue of anaemia affects over half of the children under five and one-third of women, posing serious public health challenges. The 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey revealed that 46% of children aged 6-59 months and 30% of women of reproductive age nationwide are anaemic, underscoring a critical need for effective nutritional interventions. Anaemia, primarily due to iron deficiency, leads to significant health complications such as impaired cognitive development in children and increased mortality risks during childbirth.
The Solution: The Lucky Iron Fish (LIF)
Amidst this backdrop, Dorothy’s story emerges as a beacon of hope through the innovative use of the Lucky Iron Fish (LIF)—a small, reusable fish-shaped iron ingot. When boiled in water or soup, the LIF releases a controlled amount of bioavailable iron, enough to provide a significant portion of daily iron needs without altering the taste of food.
Initially sceptical, Dorothy became intrigued by the potential of LIF after learning that it was not just for fish dishes but could be used in any boiling liquid. “At first, I thought it was only for fish dishes,” Dorothy recalls. Educated on its benefits and proper use, she soon incorporated LIF into her family’s daily cooking routine and began advocating its use among her community. “Together, we are building a healthier future for our children and our community,” Dorothy shares, reflecting on the visible shifts in cooking practices and nutritional awareness in Agago.
GOAL Uganda, with support from GOAL’s Humanitarian Innovation Fund and funding from Irish Aid, partnered with Divine Organic Foods, a social enterprise, to create demand for the LIF ingots by selling directly to households through a last-mile delivery system. This initiative not only addresses iron deficiency in a culturally acceptable and sustainable manner but also integrates local business infrastructures to enhance community acceptance and long-term sustainability.
Community Nutrition Champions-for Lucky Iron Fish Innovation Story.
The Humanitarian Innovation Fund: Catalyzing Change
The GOAL Humanitarian Innovation Fund stands at the core of this initiative, designed as a vibrant collaborative platform that enables strategic partners to engage and support innovative solutions to humanitarian crises. The fund is managed by the GOAL Programme Innovation Lab under the direction of a multi-stakeholder steering committee, ensuring a broad-based approach to overcoming nutritional and health challenges.
Strategic partners of the fund, including private sector entities and academic institutions, contribute not only financially but also by providing technical support and guidance to innovators. These collaborations foster an ecosystem of innovation focused on transforming crisis into resilience through practical and scalable solutions.
The fund’s commitment to leveraging local partnerships and academic validation ensures that each innovation is both scientifically sound and contextually relevant. For the Lucky Iron Fish project, this means continuous assessment and adaptation to meet the dietary habits and health needs of the Ugandan population, ensuring that interventions like LIF can effectively combat iron deficiency at scale.
As GOAL continues to expand its efforts through the Humanitarian Innovation Fund, stories like Dorothy’s highlight the tangible impact of innovative thinking on communities’ resilience.
