Butuan City- The National Nutrition Council Caraga and the Department of Health Center for Health Development Caraga through the Nutrition Cluster coordinated with the UNICEF Philippines for the provision of the ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) to help the moderately to severely acute malnourished children ages 6-59 months old in various provinces of Caraga region especially to most affected by typhoon Odette localities.

A total of 699 boxes of ready-to-use therapeutic food delivered by UNICEF Philippines on 25 January 2022 to DOH Warehouse, Butuan City. Other local government units of Caraga region to include the Province of Agusal del Sur, Province of Dinagat Island, Province of Surigao del Sur, Bayugan City, Tandag City, Cabadbaran City and Bislig City have also to receive a number of boxes of RUTF from the same organization.

The ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is a peanut-based paste that is energy-dense, mineral- and vitamin-enriched food that does not require any preparation or refrigeration. This is a ready-to-eat food in a packet which means it does not have to be mixed with potentially contaminated water.

Through this generous initiative, the agencies behind this are hopeful for the effective treatment of the identified severely acute malnourished children for the betterment of their health and future endeavors.

Prior to the distribution to target population, the DOH and NNC will schedule a crash orientation on the Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM) particularly on the distribution and proper consumption of the said commodity. #MPRayco & NASLabordo