The Sixth National Nutrition Day highlighted the importance of breastfeeding, recognising that it is cornerstone of child survival and child health, providing essential, irreplaceable nutrition for a child’s growth and development.

The event celebrated on 25 November 2019 and provided over by His Excellency Dr Yim Chhay Ly, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development and High Representative of Samdech Kittipritthbindit Bun Rany Hun Sen, National Champion for the United Nations Secretary General’s Joint Action Plan for Women’s and Children’s Health and President of the Cambodian Red Cross.

National Nutrition Day featured speeches from the Prime Minister Samdech Aka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and First Lady, Samdech Kittipritthbindit Bun Rany Hun Sen urging national efforts to support the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.  In his guidelines for future work, the Prime Minister asked all present to give their support to the National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition (NSFSN) 2019-2023.

The development partners, including the SUN UN and Donor Networks and the SUN Civil Society Alliance, were beside the Royal Government of Cambodia for the celebration.  Remarks on behalf of all development partners were delivered by HE Mr Christian Berger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, who commented in his remarks that, “it was impressive to see all these partners coming together and collaborating to support the Royal Government of Cambodia in the endeavour to eliminate malnutrition in all its forms.”

The presence of HE Mam Bun Heng, Minister of Health and Vice-Chairman of CARD and HE Ing Kanthaphavi, Minister for Women’s Affairs and other high-ranking guests reflected the broad commitment of the Royal Government to promoting nutrition and the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.  It was also encouraging to see the presence of so many young people, including students from the universities, health service professionals and pregnant and nursing mothers.

Breastfeeding is a task not only for a mother, it is the task for everyone — all family members, communities, all citizens of the nation. We are all stakeholders in terms of the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, it is crucial to raise public awareness of breastfeeding upon child health, and the mental and physical development which are key factors for healthy growth and development.

This day was a reminder of the importance of continuing to invest in ending all forms of malnutrition to reach our targets for Agenda 2030. 

Ms Francesca Erdelmann, Country Director for WFP highlighted the sacrifices made by breastfeeding mothers in her remarks and the need for employers to support mothers with paid maternity leave, favourable conditions for breastfeeding in the workplace or flexibility in working conditions.

It is time to translate commitments into actions that address all forms of malnutrition

The increase in national budget for social protection, health and education is encouraging. These investments by the Royal Government of Cambodia mark a turning point in national development, recognising that nutrition is in fact an investment into Cambodia’s future — because Cambodia’s children are the future.

The challenge is not only to fight forms of undernourishment like stunting and wasting but also the growing problems associated with over-weight and obesity. FAO contributes to this through the FAO-EU FIRST Programme in Cambodia and efforts to promote diversified, nutritious food production and strengthening value chains for nutritious foods, including through improved food safety and quality.

FAO works with CARD and concerned ministries and other development partners to develop food systems that will provide women and children especially, with safe and nutritious food supplies.

Breastfeeding mothers need healthy diets and safe food to provide the best start in life for their children.

The release of the booklet Accelerating progress towards SDG2 by the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development in partnership with FAO and the EU, marked a milestone for the finalisation of the NSFSN 2019-2023.  The document provides the analysis and the framework serving the formulation of the strategy.