A month-long of activities to raise awareness on the importance of maintaining healthy diets, food accessibility, and proper hygiene in observation of Nutrition Month during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar.

August, 2020 was declared as Nutrition Month by the Government of Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The team at WorldFish Myanmar partnered with local institutions, organizations, and the private sector to form the “Fish for Livelihoods”, funded by USAID, and organized 26 various activities and at different townships in Kengtung, Pekhon, Pinlaung,Taunggyi, Khin-U, Madaya, Salin, and Nga Phe. 

The purpose of Nutrition Month was to emphasize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, good nutrition for under 5 year old and school age children, good nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, prevention of iodine deficiency disorders, and the importance of fish consumption for healthy diets and food accessibility, and maintaining proper hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the month, various events and activities were held, including food distribution by monks and novice people at monasteries; hangings of nutrition posters to encourage awareness-building at public locations; and a series of cooking demonstrations and taste testing of a variety of nutritious fish meals. 

Nutrition talks and a display booth were also held as part of the month-long awareness campaign. The talks were led by the Township health personnel, who emphasized on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), COVID-19 awareness, and building locals’ understanding of fish as a source of nutrients for improved health. 

The purpose of Nutrition Month was to emphasize the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, good nutrition for under 5 year old and school age children, good nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, prevention of iodine deficiency disorders, and the importance of fish consumption for healthy diets and food accessibility, and maintaining proper hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic.