Nutritional disorder occurring mostly in the tropics and resulting from a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). The disease takes two forms: in one oedema (waterlogging of the tissues) occurs; in the other there is severe emaciation. There is nerve degeneration in both forms and many victims succumb to heart failure.
Yellow stands for grain and freedom from need. Green symbolizes the forests and hope. Red represents bloodshed and courage. Effective date: 20 March 1989.