National Nutrition Month – Project Rise, the global charitable arm of the Dawoodi Bohra community, announced the commencement of the ‘Mother and Child Health and Nutrition Programme’ in Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district, which would serve around 600 families for the next three years.
This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Association for Nutrition and Development Action (ANNADA), Nandurbar District Authorities, and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Across ten Anganwadi centers, the comprehensive program will deliver micronutrient-fortified, energy-dense food to malnourished children under the age of six, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. It will also educate pregnant and lactating moms on breastfeeding and health monitoring in order to reduce children’s physical and cognitive growth.
Mr. Krishna Rathod, Deputy CEO (Women and Child Development), Nandurbar Zilla Parishad, expressed gratitude to the Dawoodi Bohra community and ANNADA for initiating the program, saying, “A health and nutrition initiative like this will go a long way in making a difference in the lives of undernourished children and achieving a hunger-free and healthy nation.”
National Nutrition Month
“Child undernutrition can lead to severe developmental issues, diseases, infections, and even death,” stated Alvin D’souza, Program Head at ANNADA. It lies at the heart of all social problems and has a negative impact on national socioeconomic development. Our approach will rely on simple, community-relevant, ready-to-eat meals that meet nearly one-third of a child’s recommended dietary intake for micronutrients. The majority of these dishes are millet-based and high in protein. We are delighted to have collaborated.
“Our community began working with ANNADA about five years ago to combat malnutrition in Govandi, near Mumbai, and Roha, near Raigad District, Maharashtra, where we saw significant improvements in the health of our beneficiaries.” This project in Nandurbar is an outgrowth of Project Rise’s nutrition and zero-hunger goals.”
The Nandurbar program began in September to coincide with the Government of India’s “RashtriyaPoshanMaah,” or National Nutrition Month, which promotes statewide awareness of nutrition and hunger, particularly among mothers and children.
India has the most hungry people and about one-third of the world’s malnourished youngsters. According to the National Family Health Survey 2019-21, nearly every third child under the age of five suffers from stunting, and approximately 20% suffer from wasting.
Maharashtra has a high rate of child malnutrition, with less than 10% of children under the age of two receiving a sufficient diet. In rural and indigenous regions, the situation is quite complicated. Working together with local communities, partners, and Anganwadicentres can produce great results and improve the nutrition, health, and overall well-being of families.
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