UN concerned over rising child malnutrition in Cambodia due to COVID-19
UN agencies have come together to urge Cambodia to focus on children’s rights to healthy diets as malnutrition among children in the country is in danger of rising amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phnom Penh (VNA) - UN agencies have come together to urge Cambodia to focus onchildren’s rights to healthy dietsꩵ as malnutrition among children in ꦓthe country is in danger ofrising amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Khmer Times on August4 quoted UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore as saying that incountries like Cambodia, the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 is disruptingfood security, livelihoods and the economy. A joint statement of UNICEF, WEF, FAO and WHO appealed to governments, the public, donors and the private sector around theworld to protect children’s right to nutrition worldwide, including inCambodia, by focusing on five core issues. They include safeguardingaccess to nutritious, safe and affordable diets; investing decisively insupport of maternal and child nutrition by protecting breastfeeding; preventingthe inappropriate marketing of infant formula and securing children and women’saccess to nutritious and diverse foods. The statement highlighteda need to re-activate and scale-up services for the early detection andtreatment of child wasting while maintaining the provision of nutritious andsafe school meals, expand social protection to safeguard access tonutritious diets and essential services among the poorest and most affectedhouseholds. The statement also said severe acute malnutrition continues tobe a major cause of death in children under the age of five in Cambodia,with around2.5 percent (60,000 to 90,000 cases) needing specialised medical treatment,including therapeutic feeding at a cost of 113 USD per child, every year. According to the World Bank 2020 Spring Cambodia EconomicUpdate, food prices, particularly for meat, eggs and some fish products inPhnom Penh and fresh vegetables in provincial markets, have all increased./.
A project funded by the Spanish Government on integrating nutrition and food security for children and vulnerable groups in Vietnam was reviewed at a workshop in Hanoi on June 29.
A symposium was held in Hanoi on May 21 to discuss the treatment of acute malnutrition among children as part of the draft revised Law on Health Examination and Treatment.
Vietnam reported about 700,000 cases of acute malnutrition each year, of which about 230,000 were severe and required medical treatment, according to Huynh Nam Phuong, deputy director of the Food and Nutrition Training Centre under the National Institute of Nutrition.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
VAMAF President Datuk Shaharuddin Omar shared the plan at the association’s 103rd anniversary ceremony, noting support from the Vietnam Veterans Association. The initiative is expected to open new markets for Malaysian Halal products and improve livelihoods for its members.
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) 
