HOUN DISTRICT: The Houn District Agriculture and Forestry Office held a ceremony to commemorate Houn District Nutrition Day, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to tackle malnutrition and promote healthy eating habits. This annual event, officially observed on December 31, underscores the significance of a strategic, multi-ministerial approach to improving nutrition across the district.
According to Lao News Agency, the ceremony took place at the Houn District Administrative Office and was attended by Mrs. Khamman Keobounhoun, Chief of Houn District, along with committee members, representatives from the nutrition secretariat, and relevant departments. Mrs. Khamman highlighted the importance of Nutrition Day, which was first established on July 31, 2013, coinciding with the creation of the National Nutrition Committee. This committee, featuring multiple ministries such as Public Health, Education and Sports, Agriculture and Forestry, and Planning and Investment, aims to address nutritional challenges through coo
rdinated efforts aligned with the government’s 22 integrated measures under the national nutrition strategy.
Mrs. Khamman emphasized that nutrition is vital for physical growth, health maintenance, and development, involving safe food production, distribution, preparation, and public education about balanced diets. Despite progress, gaps remain in nutritional awareness, particularly in rural areas where critical groups like pregnant women, new mothers, and caregivers lack proper knowledge. Statistics reveal that 44% of children under five in Laos experience chronic malnutrition, 21% are underweight, and 9% suffer from acute malnutrition. The Chief stressed the need to promote healthy eating habits and discourage unsafe food consumption and harmful substances like alcohol.
Houn District has been actively implementing a Food Security and Nutrition Project with support from the World Food Programme (WFP). The project aims to improve household nutritional behaviors and enhance infrastructure to build resilience
against natural disasters and crises. It targets 21 villages, comprising 2,619 households and 15,310 individuals, including 7,691 women. Key activities include training for 818 pregnant women and mothers with young children at village nutrition learning centers, establishing these centers to promote awareness and education, providing home garden grants to 818 households, and constructing facilities like road repairs and gravity-fed water systems to improve access and infrastructure.
Mr. Thongvanh Sayyasan, Deputy Head of the Field Office of the WFP in Oudomxay Province, urged local authorities to ensure the sustainability of the project, emphasizing the importance of government-led management for long-term success.