,Kathmandu, May 31: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Bhagbati Chaudhary has said that very pregnant woman should be taken care of to prevent children from being malnourished.

Addressing a launching programme of the ENOUGH campaign to end child malnutrition and hunger in collaboration with World Vision International Nepal and the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters’ Nepal (ACORAB) on Thursday, Minister Chaudhary stressed collaboration between all governments and concerned agencies to work together to eradicate malnutrition from the nation.

She said Rs. 15 per student per day allocated by the federal government was not sufficient for quality day meals, therefore, the local governments must be serious about managing quality tiffin for children.

Minister Chaudhary said that the study reports of various children’s homes she received from the parliamentary committee showed quality food was not provided to the children, and she was preparing to take immediate action to address the issue.

National Director of World Vision International Nepal Roslyn H. Gabriel said, “World Vision has launched this campaign focusing primarily on child hunger and malnutrition, and aims to support the government’s efforts to ensure nutrition for children.” 

ACORAB’s chairperson Arjun Giri highlighted the role of media particularly community radios in sensitising the issue of malnutrition and hunger. 

The three-year campaign has jointly been launched by World Vision International Nepal and the Association of Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB).

The event saw the participation of children, community representatives, government, elected representatives, donors, civil society, media and partner organisations.

It is informed that Nepal has enough resources to provide a healthy and nutritious diet for all its people, but the country is still seeing alarming rates of malnutrition in the country. 

One in every eight households faces food insecurity and one in every four children is stunted with both their brains and body.

To combat the situation, World Vision International Nepal has a fund pledge of 1.7 million USD to support Nepal’s government in the child hunger and malnutrition sector in Nepal. 

World Vision launched the ENOUGH campaign globally on 22 September 2023 during the United National General Assembly (UNGA).