On May 14, 2021, the Health and Nutrition Liason of UNICEF, Mr. Lemuelle Moninio held a Provincial Integration Meeting together with CSO partners. The said meeting was attended by CSO partners, Zamboanga del Norte (ZDN) PNO and PHO staff, and PNC Rowence Zorilla of the National Nutrition Council Region 9. The meeting aims to provide updates on CSOs’ activity implementation accomplishments in the first quarter of the year 2021 and to discuss the plan of activities for the month of May. Mr. Moninio also shared the objectives of the KOICA Project with the participants.

During the activity, the Nutrition Center of the Philippines (NCP) was noted to have conducted a Midline Desk Review and they have also completed the Midline Survey Implementation in the KOICA areas. This will check the progress of the implementation of F1KD programs. Meanwhile, the World Vision (Nutrition) also imparted on their conducted catch-up Training/Capacity Building Activities on EO 51 Milk Code and FAMILY MUAC HH Level Roll Out and they also conducted F1KD Meetings with RHU Staff and field visits at the barangay level. World Vision (WASH) also organized the provincial WASH Task Force and WASH Inception Meeting. They have also provided technical assistance to the 27 LGUs to reach Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status.

Moreover, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) conducted a Service Delivery Network Survey, Municipal Nutrition and Governance Program (MNGP)-Nutrition and Health Leadership “NutrHeal” for F1KD for municipalities of Siayan, Leon Postigo, and Sindangan. Humanity and Inclusion (HI) conducted ECCD Record 1 Capacity Building in the municipality of Siayan, ECCD Record 2 Capacity Building province-wide and they have also provided ECCD Record 1 Assessment Kits of 110 pieces. Rain Barrel Communication (RBC) conducted SBCC Online Consultation Workshop. Despite the challenges encountered in the implementation of different programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF with other CSO partners will continue to implement health and nutrition programs/activities in the KOICA areas and NNC-IX commits to provide technical support and assistance whenever needed.

-PNC-ZDN Rowence Zorilla