FIDR is a non-governmental organization working to support children in developing countries and people affected by disasters.

Nutrition

A World Problem-Unable to take sufficient nutrition indispensable for healthy lives-

It is reported that more than 1/3 of death of children under five years of age results from malnutrition. Malnutrition does not necessarily mean extremely thin and weak body resulting from insufficient food intake. Even if quantity of food intake is sufficient, poor nutritional balance causes weak body resistance, susceptibility to sickness, and poor recovery which may lead to death.

If child does not take sufficient nutrition in growth period, the body growth will become below average in weight and height, and learning ability as well as physical one will be less developed. If woman in pregnancy and lactation period take insufficient nutrients, adverse effect is caused in child birth and growth.

Taking nutritionally balanced diet is a world-wide concern.
Although the number of children with chronic malnutrition has been declining since 2000, one in five children under the age of five is still chronically malnourished.
On the other hand, there are 400 million children who are obese due to taking unbalanced diet or excessive intake of food.


Source: WHO (2018)

Main Causes

・Unable to provide appropriate meals for children due to the lack of understanding on nutrition
・Lack of qualified people and opportunity for nutrition education
・Unable to provide balanced diet due to financial difficulties
・Few variety in food ingredients due to monoculture of local agricultural production

Our Approach

Average weight and height of Cambodian children are significantly lower than that of children in other Southeast Asian countries. In Cambodia, nutrition education is not incorporated in education curriculums and children hardly have an opportunity to learn about nutrition and meals.
FIDR has developed Recommended Dietary Allowance and Food Based Dietary Guidelines for school-aged children. In November 2017, Cambodian Ministry of Health authorized it as the national guidelines.
As the nutrition education will be introduced to public schools nationwide, FIDR is currently providing technical supports on writing curriculums, teaching materials and student’s textbooks together with conducting training for teachers.

Ongoing Projects

・Nutrition Education and Promotion Project (Cambodia)
・Food and Nutrition Security Project (Cambodia)
・Project for Improvement of Living and Child Nutrition in Tay Nguyen (Vietnam)

Completed Projects

・Hospital Diet Assistance Project (Cambodia)
・Kon Tum Province Child Nutrition Improvement Project (Vietnam)
・Nutrition and Diet Management Project (Cambodia)