In anticipation of the upcoming Nutrition Month, July of every year, the National Nutrition Council Central Office posted a contest in search of the most appropriate theme in the context of Nutrition in Emergencies. Among the contest rules, this year’s theme should stress the importance of increased awareness and higher level of preparedness which can be achieved through the prevention of hunger and worsening of malnutrition during calamities. NNC, with the help of partner agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs) and stakeholders is challenged to plan for activities that would enable the people and communities to be nutritionally prepared especially during disasters.

The nation-wide search for the 2014 Nutrition Month Theme that started  on January of this year was put to an end when Ms. Desiree P. Reyes of Los Ban?os, Laguna rendered the theme that gained the NNC Technical Committee’s vote for approval on March 26, 2014. “KALAMIDAD PAGHANDAAN: GUTOM AT MALNUTRISYON AGAPAN!” was declared the winning theme selected from among the 304 entries submitted from all over the Philippines.

The 2014 Nutrition Month Theme aims to uphold interventions in addressing the nutrition needs of the Filipinos extending from preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation phases. It also aims to trigger appropriate,coherent and timely response from the Nutrition Cluster at all levels. Moreover, it stresses a public responsibility to develop an attitude of “I am ready” especially among the most nutritionally vulnerable population and hazard-prone areas in the country.

It is believed that underpinning nutrition awareness is a great key to better prepare and efficiently respond to Nutrition in Emergencies!