WATCH: U4HK kicks off campaign against child malnutrition with Nestlé Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – A partnership between private and public sectors dubbed United for Healthier Kids (U4HK) is leading the fight against child malnutrition in the Philippines.

The campaign, initiated by Nestlé Philippines, provides nutritional education to Filipino parents, teachers, and communities.

On Wednesday, January 18, UH4K celebrates its 3^rd year of gathering support for this advocacy at the Green Sun Hotel in Pasong Tamo, Makati City.

Here’s the programme for the evening: 

Welcome Remarks

Jacques Reber, Chairman and CEO Nestlé Philippines, Inc.

Keynote Speech

Sen. Grace Poe Chair, Committee on Public Services, Senate of the Philippines

Open Forum

Dr. Mario Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute Department of Science and Technology

Dr. Adela Jamorabo-Ruiz, President, Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines

Mr. Paolo Mercado SVP, Communication, Marketing, and Innovation Nestlé Philippines Inc.

Ms. Maria Ressa, CEO and Executive Editor, Rappler

Introduction of U4HK Partners and U4HK Portal Launch

Commitment Pledge

Closing Statement

Ms. Georgina Hernandez-Yang Head, Anti-Poverty Advocacies and Programs Unit, Office of the Vice-President

Video Message

Her Excellency Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo, Vice-President Republic of the Philippines 

#HangryAboutHunger

“Cultivating healthy eating habits among kids is a global priority by Nestlé. In the Philippines, U4HK aims to help broaden Filipino parents and millennials’ awareness about the prevalence of child malnutrition, and the need to provide healthy everyday meals to Filipino children even with a limited budget,” says Paolo Mercado, Nestlé Philippines’ Senior Vice President for Communication, Marketing, and Innovation.

The 8^th National Nutrition Survey conducted by FNRI in 2013 reveals that 29.1% of children from ages 5 to 10 are undernourished. While this is a decrease from 2011 figures (32%), the number of malnourished children remains high and warrants immediate action. The research further shows that the prevalence of malnutrition is caused by inadequate intake of food, with more than half of the local households failing to meet the daily nutrient and energy requirements. All these are set against the context of faster population growth, which further exacerbates the shortage of resources and poses a threat on the supply of food and on the nutritional status of households in the Philippines.  

“The real measure of development is how a country takes care of its children. U4HK represents the fundamental principle that all children have a right to be properly nourished to be able to reach their full potential. The responsibility falls on all Filipinos who want to make a difference in helping raise a healthier generation of children,” Mercado adds.

Bookmark this page for the livestream of the kickoff event on Wednesday from 7pm onwards and join the conversation using #HangryAboutHunger.  

Tweets about #HangryAboutHunger from:rapplerdotcom, OR from:u4hkph

// – Rappler.com