E/C.12/MDA/CO/3 Trafficking in human beings 46. While noting a number of measures taken by the State party to combat trafficking in persons, the Committee is concerned that the prosecution rate of offenders remains very low and the punishments imposed on them are reportedly lenient. It is also concerned at the insufficient provision of recovery and reintegration services for victims (art. 10). 47. The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to investigate acts of trafficking effectively and to prosecute and punish perpetrators with penalties commensurate with the gravity of their offences; provide shelters for victims of trafficking; and ensure their access to assistance, recovery and reintegration programmes. Right to an adequate standard of living 48. While appreciating the significant decrease in poverty rates, the Committee remains concerned that poverty is still pervasive, particularly in rural areas and among pensioners. It is also concerned that the Ajutor social cash transfer programme, the main poverty reduction programme of the State party, covers only 50 per cent of eligible persons, that the amounts of the benefits are far below the minimum subsistence level and that the eligibility criteria are overly restrictive (arts. 9 and 11). 49. The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to combat poverty with a special focus on persons in rural areas and pensioners. It also urges the State party to ensure that the Ajutor social cash transfer programme covers all eligible persons and increase the amount of benefits to a level that provides the beneficiaries with a decent standard of living. It further recommends that the State party review the eligibility criteria, including the list of assets, in order to ensure that the Ajutor social cash transfer programme covers all persons in need. Right to food 50. The Committee is concerned at the prevalence of malnutrition, including stunting and micronutrient deficiencies, and excessive weight and obesity, particularly among children, women and persons in rural areas (arts. 11 and 12). 51. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to address malnutrition among children, women and persons in rural areas, including by fully implementing the national food and nutrition programme adopted in 2016. It draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 12 (1999) on the right to adequate food and the Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security, adopted by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Water and sanitation 52. While noting the adoption of the water supply and sanitation strategy for the period 2014-2029, the Committee remains concerned that the overall level of access to improved water sources and adequate sanitation facilities is low, with a large disparity between rural and urban areas (art. 11). 53. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to improve access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities, with a special focus on the rural areas, including by fully implementing the strategy. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 15 (2002) on the right to water and its statement on the right to sanitation (E/C.12/2010/1). Housing 54. Despite the measures taken by the State party, the Committee is concerned at the insufficient provision of social housing to disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups. The Committee regrets the lack of detailed information on the implementation of social housing policies, including the funding allocation by national and local governments 8