A Rapid Nutrition Assessment Survey (RNAS) is being conducted by the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) as part of its response to combat COVID-19.
This was done through RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act with the directive of Cabinet Sec. Karlo Nograles; and aligned to FNRI’s mission to fight malnutrition through accurate data, correct information, and innovative technologies. The RNAS is currently underway and will end in December.
"RNAS aims to provide a snapshot of the nutrition and food security situation of the country during COVID-19 pandemic, thus generating information that will be easily accessible to all stakeholders as a basis for enhancing and intensifying program implementation," DOST said.
Its findings may aid policymakers in understanding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in terms of food and nutrition security of the Filipino population, especially the most vulnerable groups: children under-five, school-age children, pregnant and lactating women.
Its general objective is to assess the effects and impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the food and nutrition security situation of selected areas covered in the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey with high, medium, and low-level risks of COVID-19 infection.