NEPAL NUTRITION AND FOOD SECURITY PORTAL

The Government of Nepal (GoN), National Planning Commission (NPC) organized a one-day provincial level orientation program on Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP) at Janakpurdham, on 31 December 2021 (Poush 9, 2078) in close coordination with the Provincial Policy and Planning Commission of Province 2. The event was organized to sensitize elected representatives of provincial and local levels, and bureaucrats on the importance of MSNP, nutrition, and food security. Advocacy for identification and optimum resource mobilization for implementing MSNP to address the malnutrition and food insecurity in Province 2 – was yet another focus area of the event.

The event was chaired by Honorable Dr. Uma Shankar Prasad, Member of NPC. Honorable Lalbabu Raut, Chief Minister of Province 2 was the Chief Guest, and Honorable Dr. Bhogendra Jha, Vice-Chairperson, Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, and Mr. Hari Prasad Mainali, Principal Secretary, Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Minister, Honorable Members of Women, Children and Social Justice Committee of Provincial Assembly were Special Guests of the event. Similarly, members of Provincial Policy and Planning Commission, members of Provincial Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committee, members of Women, Children and Social Justice Committee, government officials from federal and provincial ministries and departments, EDPs, local Civil Society Organizations, and media participated in the event.

Dr. Kiran Rupakhetee, Joint Secretary, NPC briefed the objective of the event. He explicitly highlighted major components of MSNP with particular emphasis on strengthening accountability of nutrition governance architectures to make quality nutrition services accessible to every citizen in a long run. Ms. Laxmi Ghimire, Program director, NPC made an introductory presentation about MSNP-II. Mr. Basanta Adhikari, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration presented about the implementation status of MSNP-II. Mr. Lila Bikram Thapa, Chief of Nutrition Section, Family Welfare Division presented about national nutrition scenario comparing it with the nutritional status of Province 2 on different nutrition-related indicators. Likewise, Mr. Dani Kant Jha, Chief Administrative Officer, Provincial Policy and Planning Commission presented about the implementation status of MSNP-II at province and way-forward. The discussion remained focused on the challenges associated with the implementation of MSNP-II and the way forward to improve the nutritional status of adolescents, women, and children of Province 2.

Honorable Lalbabu Raut, Chief Minister in his remarks highlighted the need to dedicate more resources and flagged the need for more effective coordination with local government to improve nutritional outcomes and ensure food security.  He also urged all tiers of government and EDPs to put more rigorous efforts and adopt a targeted approach to improve the nutritional status of women and children particularly among Dalit and Muslim communities in Province 2.

Honorable Dr. Uma Shankar Prasad, Member, NPC sharing his closing remarks during Provincial Level Orientation on MSNP at Province 2

Honorable Dr. Uma Shankar Prasad, Member, NPC in his closing remarks reiterated the need to target the most disadvantaged groups (Dalit and Muslims) and entailed the need to direct the efforts to improve the literacy and economic status of these groups for better nutritional outcomes and human capital development in Province 2.

Dr. Kiran Rupakhetee, Joint Secretary, NPC facilitating the session during Provincial Level Orientation on MSNP at Province 2