Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - DPM: Food insecurity cause of malnutrition

DPM: Food insecurity cause of malnutrition

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Yim Chhay Ly, deputy prime minister and chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD). YIM CHHAY LY VIA FB

DPM: Food insecurity cause of malnutrition

A top official said food insecurity is at the root of the problem of malnutrition, and the solution requires that everyone joins hands to reduce or eliminate all forms of malnutrition in the Kingdom.

Yim Chhay Ly, deputy prime minister and chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), said improving food security and nutrition are two of the most urgent issues at the sub-national level.

He was speaking at a January 26 meeting to review the 2022 progress and outline the 2023 direction of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement in Cambodia.

Chhay Ly called on all stakeholders to work together to reduce or eliminate all forms of malnutrition and other health conditions related to poor diets such as obesity and other non-communicable diseases like diabetes or heart disease.

"Economic and social growth has changed the way Cambodians live and eat. Social behaviours changing has impacted the nutritional status and new challenges are emerging such as overweight or obesity, especially among women of reproductive age. The movement of people to urban area for work has also changed the social structure and support for agriculture,” he said.

He added that Cambodia became the 53rd member of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement in 2014, and CARD has played a leading role in coordinating the activities with relevant ministries and institutions to promote food security and nutrition in line with vision and direction of the Second National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition 2019-2023.

The meeting was attended by donor countries, UN representatives, executives in the private sector, civil society organisations from the SUN Movement and development partners, especially Germany’s international development agency GIZ through the Multisectoral Food and Nutrition Security (MUSEFO).

According to the findings of the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey 2021-2022, the stunting rate of children under the age of 5 has dropped from 32 to 22 per cent, and the underweight rate of children under the age of 5 has decreased from 24 to 16 per cent.

Therefore, stakeholders also expressed the expectation that, through the launch of this movement for nutrition in Cambodia, it will lead to the promotion of healthy and safe food production and the modernisation of agriculture and food production chains that can ensure Cambodia's food security into the future.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.