As Myanmar observes National Nutrition Month, it is an important reminder that nutrition is a cornerstone of health, wellbeing, and resilience. For people living with HIV (PLHIV), adequate nutrition is essential for maintaining a strong immune system, improving treatment adherence, reducing vulnerability to opportunistic infections, and achieving better long-term health outcomes.
Recognizing the close relationship between HIV and nutrition, the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) and Myanmar Positive Group (MPG) began a partnership in Yangon in 2025 to support vulnerable PLHIV through integrated nutrition and community-led interventions. Since then, the collaboration has grown into a holistic programme that combines nutrition support, treatment adherence assistance, psychosocial counselling, community engagement, accountability mechanisms, and resilience-building activities.
Supporting Health Beyond Food Assistance
Throughout 2025, the partnership helped vulnerable PLHIV and their families address both health and socioeconomic challenges. Nutrition support was integrated with treatment adherence counselling, psychosocial support, and community-led care, ensuring that beneficiaries received comprehensive assistance rather than food support alone.
By working closely with community volunteers, peer supporters, and self-help groups, the programme helped people remain connected to treatment, improve their wellbeing, and navigate increasing economic pressures that affect food security and health outcomes.
Scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that adequate nutrition is an essential component of HIV care. Malnutrition can weaken immunity, reduce the effectiveness of treatment, and increase vulnerability to illness. Conversely, improved nutrition contributes to stronger treatment outcomes, better recovery, enhanced quality of life, and increased resilience. Recognizing this relationship, the partnership has promoted nutrition education and counselling informed by internationally recognized guidance on nutrition for people living with HIV.
Community Leadership During Times of Crisis
One of the most important milestones of the partnership came during humanitarian response efforts following the devastating earthquake that affected many communities. Building on existing community networks and support systems, UN WFP and MPG worked together to ensure that vulnerable households, including people living with HIV, persons with disabilities, and other at-risk populations, were not left behind.
The response demonstrated the strength of community-led systems. Existing networks enabled rapid identification of vulnerable households, timely outreach, and continued support during a period of uncertainty and disruption. The experience reinforced the value of investing in community leadership and locally driven solutions that can respond to both humanitarian emergencies and longer-term development challenges.
Strengthening Accountability and Community Ownership
A key feature of the programme has been the integration of Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFM) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) approaches. Beneficiaries were encouraged to share feedback, raise concerns, and contribute suggestions to improve services.
By ensuring that communities have a voice in programme implementation, these mechanisms have strengthened transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and community ownership. They have also helped ensure that assistance remains aligned with the actual needs and priorities of PLHIV and their families.
A Life Changed Through Support
One beneficiary, a person living with HIV who also lives with a disability, described the difference the programme made:
“Living with both HIV and a disability means that daily life can be challenging, especially when income opportunities are limited. The nutrition support helped reduce a major burden on my family and allowed me to focus on my health and treatment. During difficult times, it reminded me that I was not alone.”
Another beneficiary reflected:
“The support provided more than food. It gave me peace of mind and hope. When basic needs are met, it becomes easier to focus on treatment, health, and caring for your family.”
Partnership Impact
Since the beginning of the partnership in 2025, UN WFP and MPG have worked together to strengthen food security, improve nutrition, support treatment adherence, and build resilience among vulnerable PLHIV and affected households.
By linking nutrition support with counselling, treatment adherence services, referrals, and community outreach, the partnership has contributed to improved health outcomes and enhanced wellbeing. It has also demonstrated the effectiveness of community-led approaches in reaching vulnerable populations, particularly during periods of humanitarian and economic hardship.
The combination of nutrition support, community participation, accountability mechanisms, and integrated HIV services has created a model that not only addresses immediate needs but also strengthens longer-term resilience and community ownership.
Building on these achievements, the partnership has expanded in 2026 through continued food security, nutrition, and resilience-building interventions for PLHIV in Yangon. The continuation of support reflects both the ongoing need and the positive impact observed among beneficiaries and communities.
Looking Ahead to 2027 and Beyond
MPG is encouraged by the positive changes seen among beneficiaries, including improved treatment adherence, stronger resilience, increased awareness of nutrition and health, and greater community engagement. These results demonstrate the value of investing in community-led and people-centred approaches.
Reflecting on the partnership, Dr. Sai Htun Lin, MPG Executive Directorsaid:
“For PLHIV, nutrition and treatment go hand in hand. Adequate nutrition supports stronger immunity, better treatment adherence, improved health outcomes, and greater quality of life. Through our partnership with UN WFP, we have witnessed how nutrition support can help individuals remain healthy, resilient, and connected to care even during very challenging circumstances.”
“What makes this partnership particularly meaningful is its strong focus on community participation, accountability, and local ownership. Through community feedback mechanisms and people-centred approaches, beneficiaries are able to influence and improve the services they receive. This is an important example of how community-led solutions can create lasting impact.”
Mrs. Thawdar Kyaw, MPG Chairperson, expressed appreciation on behalf of the communities served:
“On behalf of the Board of Representatives, community volunteers, and the people living with HIV whom we serve, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the United Nations World Food Programme for its trust, partnership, and commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in Myanmar.”
“Since the beginning of our collaboration in 2025, this partnership has helped improve food security, strengthen resilience, support treatment continuity, and provide dignity to many individuals and households facing difficult circumstances. We deeply appreciate WFP’s confidence in community-led approaches and its commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.”
MPG’s Commitment
Looking ahead, MPG remains committed to strengthening integrated HIV, nutrition, and resilience-building interventions through community-led approaches that place people at the centre of humanitarian and development responses.
By continuing to invest in nutrition awareness, treatment adherence support, community feedback mechanisms, local capacity strengthening, and meaningful participation, MPG aims to help create healthier, more resilient communities where every person living with HIV can access the support they need to live with dignity.
Through continued partnership with UN WFP and other valued partners, MPG looks forward to expanding the impact of nutrition and HIV interventions in 2027 and beyond, ensuring that vulnerable communities remain empowered, healthy, and resilient.
As National Nutrition Month reminds us, good nutrition is not only about food—it is about health, dignity, resilience, and hope. Together, UN WFP and MPG are helping build a future where no one is left behind.
