FIGHTING HUNGER. Officials of Save the Children and Miss Universe Philippines Organization scan the QR code to demonstrate how to donate funds to fight hunger, during the launch of the QR for Hunger in Tacloban City on Thursday (July 7, 2022). The program is an innovative digital movement that engages the public through a simple scan-to-donate feature using creative QR codes, giving them the chance to help "cure" hunger among children. (PNA photo by Roel Amazona) TACLOBAN CITY - The Save the Children Philippines has tied up with the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Organization in addressing hunger and malnutrition in Eastern Visayas. Dubbed QR for Hunger, the program is an innovative digital movement that engages the public through a simple scan-to-donate feature using creative QR codes, giving them the chance to help "cure" hunger among children. Funds raised will provide resources for health and nutrition interventions that would improve the access of Save the Children Philippines' sponsored communities to food. It will also support parents and guardians in rehabilitating their malnourished children using diets based on local knowledge and resources. "The launching of this program is timely since we are celebrating Nutrition Month. This program aims to address hunger and malnutrition in the region," Head of Office - VIsayas of the Save the Children Philippines, Hector Tuburan Jr., said during the launch here on Thursday. The scan-to-donate program is currently available online, but the two organizations are looking for partners where they can put QR codes, such as hotels, restaurants, malls, and other establishments with high foot traffic. The project will run until 2023. Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celesti Cortesi and Miss Universe Philippines Charity Pauline Amelinckx joined the launch of the campaign in the region. They also joined non-government organizations in visiting the town of Villareal, Samar to grace the opening of the Nutrition Month celebration. Villareal is one of the areas where Save the Children is implementing health and nutrition programs to support children and communities most impacted by hunger and malnutrition. "We are here because malnutrition and hunger threaten our children today. And so, it is time for us to stay together and help each other, especially the family in need," Cortesi said. "So, I want to thank Save the Children for having me today because they do not only provide feeding program but also education for the families, especially mothers for them to be able to cook nutritious meals for the children." They also promoted the QR for Hunger program to local government officials and residents. "You can scan the QR code so you can also be part of this change. Even with only PHP50, you can already help provide nutritious meals to families," Amelinckx said. Funds raised through the QR for Hunger under the #SavetheChildrenfromHunger campaign will provide resources for health and nutrition interventions. (PNA) }