BY NED GAGAHE
A new partnership aimed at tackling malnutrition in the Solomon Islands was officially launched on Friday, February 28, at the Japanese Embassy in Honiara.
The program, which focuses on improving school nutrition, will begin with a school meals initiative in Isabel and Western Provinces.
The signing ceremony, attended by high-level officials, marked the start of this critical partnership.
The event was attended by Japanese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Keiichi Higuchi, UNICEF Pacific Representative Mr. Jonathan Veitch, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Dr. Samson Viulu, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Dr. Franko Rodie.
Ambassador Keiichi and Mr. Veitch signed the grant agreement for the nutrition improvement program, which is worth SBD 28.7 million (US$3.4 million), witnessed by senior government officials, UNICEF staff, and representatives from the Japanese embassy.
In his remarks, Mr. Jonathan Veitch, UNICEF Pacific Representative, emphasized the importance of childhood nutrition, noting that poor nutrition can have long-lasting effects, increasing the risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases later in life.
“Good nutrition in childhood is crucial for lifelong health and wellbeing,” he said.
He went on to address the growing issue of malnutrition in the Solomon Islands, where the triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity—currently affects many children.
“With this partnership, we aim to reach over 30,000 children across the Solomon Islands by guiding the future national school meal program,” Mr. Veitch explained.
“More immediately, nearly 3,000 children in Isabel and Western Provinces will benefit directly from healthier, locally grown food and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.” He said.
Ambassador Keiichi also spoke about the importance of the initiative, explaining how it would support sustainable food production in communities surrounding four boarding schools in the two provinces.
The program will establish an agricultural distribution system for these schools, helping to ensure a steady supply of fresh, nutritious food for school meals.
He also noted that the program would focus on improving nutrition and hygiene standards within these schools, along with providing nutrition education.
“The aim is to create a virtuous cycle that maintains good health in the Solomon Islands,” said Ambassador Keiichi.
“The triple burden of malnutrition in the Solomon Islands is caused by unhealthy dietary habits, such as insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables and excessive intake of processed foods and sugary drinks,” he added.
“Climate change and environmental degradation are also threatening the country’s biodiversity, making staple foods like root crops and vegetables more vulnerable and leading to soaring food prices.”
The new partnership between Japan, UNICEF, and the Solomon Islands Government aims to improve the nutritional status of the country’s children, providing them with the tools they need to lead healthy lives and contribute to the future wellbeing of their communities.
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