Child malnutrition persists as silent crisis in rural Botswana
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday April 16, 2026 16:11
The burden falls heavily on San communities across the country, and in Boteti District, field reports confirm that most of the children affected by malnutrition are those of the San tribe.
Despite ongoing interventions by partners such as UNICEF Botswana, Botswana Red Cross Society and the Japanese Embassy, recent field observations reveal the depth of the challenge, particularly in remote settlements.
During a recent joint visit to Khwee village and Buuhe ward in Letlhakane, officials from UNICEF and the Botswana Red Cross Society engaged directly with families whose children are enrolled in the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) programme. The initiative, being implemented in partnership with the government, is designed to identify, treat, and monitor malnourished children under the age of five through community-based screening and care. Health workers and volunteers play a key role in ensuring early detection and follow-up support, which has been credited with saving lives in some of the country’s most underserved areas.
While the programme provides therapeutic feeding and guidance to caregivers, consistent participation remains a challenge, undermining progress for many children who require sustained nutritional support.
Stakeholders on the ground point to complex social issues contributing to the situation. Alcohol abuse within the community has emerged as a major concern, with reports that some parents frequently miss programme sessions, leaving children without the necessary care and follow-up. In some cases, government-issued food rations intended to support vulnerable households are reportedly being sold, further deepening food insecurity among already at-risk children.
Families visited during the outreach expressed deep frustration over their living conditions, citing a lack of income, food shortages, and limited access to water. Many households depend on distant water sources, compounding the daily struggle to provide even basic meals. With no stable employment opportunities, caregivers say they are forced to rely on whatever little is available, often insufficient to meet the nutritional needs of growing children.
Health officials say the CMAM programme works best when caregivers attend every session and complete the treatment cycle. But without reliable food, water, and income, families are caught in a loop where survival today takes priority over clinical appointments tomorrow.
Partners stress that addressing malnutrition in Boteti will require more than therapeutic food. It demands coordinated support around water access, income generation, and community education to ensure rations feed children, not habits. Until those links are closed, the crisis will remain silent, and children will continue to bear the cost.