Middle East and North Africa

IGN’s work in the Middle East and North Africa region promotes sustainable production and availability of quality iodized salt and improving iodine nutrition for all through partnerships, assessments, and joint actions with key stakeholders.

Coverage of iodized salt is below 70% in eight countries, among them Sudan, Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Yemen. A further four countries have coverage of below 80%, while seven countries have high coverage but also excessive iodine intake.

IGN has collaborated with UNICEF and WHO to conduct landscape analyses in several countries in the region. Also, IGN has been working to increase the production and availability of quality iodized salt in Sudan, despite political unrest, through the development of a sustainable roadmap and action plan.

IGN’s Regional Coordinator Izzeldin Hussein developed joint action with WHO, strengthening IGN’s collaboration with the regional office.

Check out the iodine status of countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.