Atmit

Atmit is a nutritional supplement used to fight famine in impoverished countries. The creamy, nutritious food is indigenous to Ethiopia and is now used to feed the severely malnourished and weakened adults and children. The word atmit originated in Ethiopia and means "thin, nourishing porridge."

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Atmit is made from rolled oats, powdered milk, powdered sugar, vitamins, and minerals. It is easily digestible, high in protein and calorie content. Since severely malnourished people cannot eat solid food, atmit is an ideal way to get them essential nutrients.

Marta Gabre-Tsadick, the first woman Senator from Ethiopia and the co-founder of Project Mercy, Inc., a Christian relief organization, adapted the recipe for production in the USA for shipment to Ethiopia and other African countries. During 1985 and 1986, Project Mercy sent 930 tons of atmit to Ethiopia, where World Vision relief workers used it to prepare millions of hot, nutritious meals which helped strengthen many people weakened from the famine.

Charity and relief organizations have created various formulas for this porridge. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints formula of atmit, which was sent in 2005 to Niger was made of the following:

• 50% Fine oatmeal flour
• 25% Nonfat milk
• 20% Sugar
• 5% Vitamins and minerals

Recently, atmit has been distributed to Uganda, Sudan, South Africa, Haiti, Gaza, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Niger.

References

• "Atmit to the Rescue", Ensign: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, January 2006, pp. 74-75. 

See also

• Famine