The spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services aims to strengthen its partnership to provide a more comprehensive and effective response to nutrition in emergencies.

Nurturing a multisectoral collaboration will enable the Nutrition Sub-Cluster to ensure that nutrition interventions during emergencies are implemented in a cohesive manner.

As such, the ministry through the National Food and Nutrition Centre organised a one day workshop called “Nutrition Mobilising Workshop” at Holiday Inn in Suva last week.

Apart from health officials, there were representatives from faith-based organisations and civil society organisations.

National Food and Nutrition Centre (NFNC) manager, Ateca Kama described the workshop as a platform to forge stronger networking with stakeholders in terms of effective preparedness and response plan for providing nutrition in emergencies.

The membership for the nutrition sub-cluster includes the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, international organisations such as World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and the Pacific Community along with non-government organisations.

During the severe Tropical Cyclone Winston, the Nutrition Sub-Cluster had collaboratively worked with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in providing support in the food ration distribution and also in reaching out to affected communities and providing information, advice and support in terms of nutrition and dietetics.

“The key objectives of this workshop is to advocate for increased stakeholder participation in the Nutrition Sub-Cluster.

“It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate the use of screening tools for nutrition education, screening, mobilisation and advocacy, solicits commitment and identifies partners to be supported technically and financially to support nutrition activities in the community following disasters and emergencies.

“This workshop also paves the way forward in terms of enabling the civil society organisations and the faith-based organisation and NGOs to understand the need to assist in community nutrition interventions,” Ms Kama said.

Fiji Methodist Church secretary for Christian Citizenship and Social Service, Reverend Iliesa Naivalu said he was grateful for the opportunity to be able to contribute to the nutrition sub-cluster.

Representatives from the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji recognised the workshop as a platform to create more awareness on the role of faith-based organisations towards disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

The representatives at this workshop were from: Red Cross Fiji, Medical Services Pacific (MSP), Fiji Association of the Deaf, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Glory Gate Baptist Church, Global Compassion, Methodist Church of Fiji, Fiji National University (FNU), World Health Organisation (WHO), Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) and the Pacific Community.

The NFNC formulates regulations, policies and guidelines. It is a resource centre for nutritional advocacy through mass media, and undertakes research on food and nutrition for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Source: DEPTFO News

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