end in December, and many of the country activities arc also ap- proaching die end of their five-year q-clcs. The US$85.3 million pro- gramme, which was funded by the Government of Italy, has contributed significantly to the understanding of what constitutes a successful pro- gramme to improve nutrition. DChildhood disability Poverty and disability travel hand in hand in the developing world. In addition to the millions of children disabled each year by birth defects, accidents and tragedies of war, many millions more are blinded, mentally handicapped or physically stunted for want of a little iodine or vitamin A. Recent evidence points to a wide spectrum of disabilities resulting from severe iodine deficiency, including loss of hearing, goitre, impaired men- tal functions and cretinism. An esti- mated 800 million people live in iodine-deficient environments, of whom 600 million are in Asia, 100 million in Africa, 60 million in Latin America and the balance in isolatedgroups in parts of Europe. About 190 million of these 800 million people suffer from goitre, three million from cretinism and millions more from mental deficiencies. Iodized salt and iodized oil, taken either orally or by injection, can safeguard populations at risk for a small cost, and IINICEF has been actively encouraging the use of both through programmes in over 20 countries. In Viet Nam for example, about 200,000 women and children under 15 years of age received iodated oil injections in 1989, and three me- chanical salt iodation plants have be- come operational since 1986. By 1991 it is expected that six plants, capable of producing 27,000 tons of iodated salt a year, will provide about 50 per cent of the nation's needs. In Ban- gladesh in February 1989, Parliament approved legislation requiring univer- sal iodation of edible salt, and in the course of the year more than 400,000
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on a development program funded by the Italian government to improve nutrition and address iodine deficiency, a public health issue. The program's impact is highlighted through examples of successful implementations in Vietnam and Bangladesh, including the use of iodized salt and oil to prevent iodine deficiency. The text does not discuss economic development, natural resources, agriculture, industry, transport, communication, international trade, employment, or culture. While science and technology are indirectly mentioned, the main focus is on health and humanitarian aid.

**Category**
Health, Humanitarian aid and relief