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USE OF VITAPRO FOR REFUGEE FEEDING IN THE DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF CONGO (FORMERLY ZAIRE)

Following the events that destabilized the camps in the Kisangani region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the refugee population was in acute nutritional crisis. Despite the massive logistical operation initiated by the United Nations, many people were dying in the refugee population before they even had a chance to return home to Rwanda.
VitaPro textured vegetable protein was tested under the supervision of CARE and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on May 7. The advantages of the product were immediately apparent and VitaPro was incorporated into the regular feeding of Refugees at the Kisanga transit center.

The advantages of VitaPro are:

• The taste is highly appreciated by refugees;
• It may be rapidly prepared: 6 to 7 minutes in boiling water;
• It has a very high nutritive value: the therapeutic ration given is
  480 grams, which corresponds to 1692 kilocalories;

From 7 May to 12 May 1997, VitaPro was used in feeding 1,995 refugees in the transit center at Kisangani. The majority of the beneficiaries were non accompanied children, the remainder being sick and severely malnourished adults.