2011-01-14
VIENTIANE, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Health launched a four year project to combat the country's chronic child malnutrition problem on Friday, with support from UNICEF and the European Union
The project will be funded by a 2.3 million euro grant, part of a 20 million euro EU fund for nutrition campaigns in Laos, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines.
The five countries have some of Asia's worst maternal and child mortality rates, chiefly caused by poor nutrition.
The project aims to improve child feeding practices, including better nutrition for pregnant and new mothers, exclusive breast- feeding for the first six months of life and the provision of nutrient supplements, vitamins and salt.
We know how crucial it is to take advantage of a critical window of opportunity, while a mother is pregnant and during the first two years of a child's life," said UNICEF representative to Laos Tim Schaffter during the event in Vientiane.
"If we can deliver proven nutrition interventions made available during this time, we will offer children the best chance to survive and reach optimal growth and development," he said.
In Laos, the campaign is expected to benefit around 700,000 children aged five or under and one million pregnant and new mothers, while overall the project is targeting 30 million children and five million pregnant and new mothers in the five countries.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2011-01/14/c_13691081.htm
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