As the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for nutritious diets, efforts to promote dried small fish powder is offering an opportunity for accessible and acceptable forms of micronutrients needed to boost the health of young children in Myanmar.
The COVID-19 pandemic has the country struggling to cope with increasing food and nutrient gaps, especially in poor communities, in both rural and urban areas, where many are facing disruption to their livelihoods. During the initial two-week lockdown in April, it is estimated gross domestic product dropped by 41 percent, unemployment rose to 5 million and the loss led to wasting in 110,000 children under 5 years of age. Moreover, supply chains were severely affectedas border restrictions were enforced, especially on industrial inputs and the labor force.
