PM places 5 proposals

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday stressed the need for taking urgent steps collectively to address the Covid-19 challenges and its impacts on public health and nutrition, reports UNB.

"The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has created a significant setback in our nutrition initiatives. Urgent actions and united efforts are needed to address the challenges of Covid-19," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G), Japan virtually.

Prime Minister of Japan Kishoda Fumio also spoke at the Summit. Its theme is Food, Health and Prosperity for All.

Sheikh Hasina placed five proposals before the world for ensuring healthy and nutritious diets for this growing population.

The international community needs to work together to address the challenges of Covid-19, including its impact on nutrition programmes, the PM said in her first proposal.

In her second proposal, Hasina called for enhancing collaboration to advance research for growing high-yielding nutritious food.

The PM, in her third proposal, said for building food banks at regional and global levels to stay safe and secure during disasters.

In her fourth proposal, Hasina stressed the importance of exchange of best practices and expertise for increasing nutrient contents in food

Finally, she asked the developed nations to disburse the committed climate adaptation fund to adapt to the climate-led extreme events that hamper food production in the developing world.

Hasina said ensuring nutrition for all citizens is a daunting task. But, she said, investment in nutrition security generates high socio-economic returns leading the way to sustainable growth and development.

Talking about Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said the country has made immense achievements and substantial progress in the economy, food security, health and nutrition during the last one decade.

"We've taken a slew of initiatives to enhance the nutritional status of disadvantaged people," she said.

In this regard, Hasina mentioned that allowances have been introduced for vulnerable groups under social safety-net programmes. Insolvent pregnant and lactating mothers were given cash allowances.