Vietnam: Integrated Nutrition and Food Security Strategies for Children and Vulnerable Groups in Viet Nam

Despite the fact that Viet Nam has achieved a significant reduction in malnutrition among children under five, malnutrition remains a public health priority. Strong regional disparities in nutritional status persist and vulnerable groups are facing additional challenges of higher food prices, the financial crisis and natural disasters. The Joint Programme is working with the government to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition among under-fives and to prevent future malnutrition. 

The programme is focused on improving food security by increased production and consumption of safe quality food and targeted supplementation. This is both a short term strategy to address current issues of malnutrition through breast feeding, iron and vitamin A supplementation, and a long term strategy to provide a higher quality diet through improved food production systems, including animal (meat and milk) and aquaculture products.

The whole is based on strengthened information and mapping systems, including nutritional sentinel surveillance, food security and early warning, and market information systems as well as enhanced capacity for data production, management and dissemination.

Specifically, the programme's goals are:

i) Improving monitoring systems on food, health and nutrition status of mothers and children so that they can be used to guide food, health and nutrition-related policies, strategies and actions;

ii) Improving infant and young child feeding practices, including increased compliance with the UNICEF/WHO guidelines on exclusive breastfeeding from 0-6 months and safe complementary feeding for children 6-24 months;

iii) Reducing micronutrient deficiencies in targeted children and women;

iv) Improving care and treatment for children with severe malnutrition and improving nutrition services for young children in emergency situations; and

v) Improving the availability, access and consumption of a more diverse food supply in selected highland and mountainous regions in Viet Nam.