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| For only Php25 or more, you can help address hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines and achieve Zero Hunger for the future of these children. (Image Source: Adobo Magazine) |
The private sector, in collaboration with non-government organizations (NGOs) and government partners, launched a new initiative that invites and encourages everyone to help feed more Filipino children and equip Filipino families with nutrition information to help alleviate malnutrition especially amongst children aged five years old and below. KAIN TAYO PILIPINAS, a flagship program under the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) movement, is a new milestone in the multi-sectoral movement's journey that aims to uplift Filipino lives and help achieve Zero Hunger.
Malnutrition could cause irreversible changes that can affect many Filipinos - young and old alike with worst living conditions such as the slums - for the rest of their lives. One in three Filipino children experience undernourishment and it seems that more children are at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched during the country's celebration of Nutrition Month, the initiative led by private corporations and NGOs in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) and the Department of Health's National Nutrition Council (DOH-NNC) aims to complement various feeding initiatives staged by national and local government units with education on nutrition. Unilever Philippines' Kristine Go who leads the KAIN TAYO PILIPINAS initiative shared, “The first 1,000 days of life are the most crucial to every child’s growth. We want to have nutritional intervention at the earliest stage because it’s not enough that Filipinos don’t go hungry, we also have to ensure that each individual is getting the right amount of nutrients to set them up for a healthy life."
The initiative is a collaboration of non-government organizations (ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Kabisig ng Kalahi, Kusina ng Kalinga, Project Pearls, Rise Against Hunger, World Food Programme Philippines, Philippine Business for Social Progress), private sector companies (Aboitiz, Century Tuna, foodpanda, Grab, Johnson and Johnson, Lazada, McDonald’s, Nestle, PayMaya, SUN Business Network, Unilever, Universal Robina Corporation), media and digital companies (ABS-CBN, Academ-E, Facebook, GCash, GMA Network) and communications and production partners (Publicis Groupe Philippines, Slingshot Manila, Film Pabrika, Greenbulb Communications). The three-fold approach of feeding, education and collaboration guides the movement in being able to holistically address the issue of hunger and malnutrition in the country. The feeding programs of the various organizations will be complemented by an education program to ensure that families are equipped to sustainably provide nutritious meals for everyone in the household. An analytics map will be utilized during the rollout to maintain zero overlap in the efforts of all participating members of the movement. Another aspect is the call for the public's participation to help reach more Filipino communities nationwide.
Aside from providing meals, the initiative also covers teaching sessions and distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding, maternal and child supplementation, dietary diversity, low-cost fortified food and sanitation to arm parents with knowledge they can apply everyday. These educational efforts are aligned with the ongoing community and national nutrition programs organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH-NNC and DOST-FNRI. KAIN TAYO PILIPINAS will produce NNC and FNRI-approved materials such as a Mother's Book for self-care and proper dietary planning in the child's first 1,000 days as well as educational videos to complement various discussions on-site. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Task Force Zero Hunger (TFZH) chairman, commends, “We are grateful for the unwavering commitment of the private sector to join the zero hunger movement. The Kain Tayo Pilipinas program will go a long way in addressing the hunger and malnutrition problems especially among mothers and children who are 5 years and below."
"Walang magugutom 'pag lahat tutulong" captures the big role that the public will play in ensuring that the initiative's goals are met. The group behind this undertaking comes from different learnings and backgrounds and are united by a common purpose to help alleviate hunger and the nutritional gap among Filipino children. Be part of this great undertaking beyond spreading the world by providing monetary support for the benefit of the movement. Any individual can donate for as low as Php25 to help bring meals and educate more Filipinos. To donate online, visit kaintayopilipinas.com. Any company or organization in the Philippines interested in contributing for the eradication of hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines may contact the movement via e-mail at kaintayo@pbsp.org.ph.
