This week a range of PNG government departments and charities, including Save the Children, are participating in the SUN (Scaling Up Nutrition) Global Gathering in Nepal to further the world’s fight against malnutrition.
This gathering is the flagship event of the SUN Movement where governments, civil society, donors, private sector partners, academia, media, parliamentarians and United Nations agencies take stock of progress and challenges, share their innovations and learn what is helping to reduce malnutrition globally.
Save the Children Papua New Guinea Senior Advocacy Coordinator Sahr Nouwah is attending the gathering and said it was an opportunity to find new ways to address PNG’s malnutrition crisis.
“The annual SUN gathering is an invaluable source of learning and sharing to better tackle this global problem.
“We know just how detrimental malnutrition can be to a child’s growth and development, particularly in the first 1000 days of life. It also brings significant economic costs in the long-term as it reduces people’s ability to work and contribute to nation building as adult citizens.”
As revealed in Save the Children’s landmark Short Changed report released in 2017, Papua New Guinea has the fourth highest rate of child stunting in the world, with one in two children suffering from the condition due to severe malnutrition.
“The recent launch of PNG’s first ever National Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan has provided a valuable road map for addressing PNG’s nutrition crisis. It will, however, require strong political will and consistent investment from leaders in PNG to achieve lasting change,” Mr. Nouwah said.
Scaling Up Nutrition is a global movement founded on the principle that all people have a right to food and good nutrition. It aims to unite society in a collective effort to improve nutrition.
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