NUTRI: Nutrition for Underprivileged and Rural Infants and mothers

Maternal and child nutrition is a vital issue that affects the health and well-being of millions of people around the world. According to UNICEF, improving women’s diets, access to nutrition services, and nutrition and care practices – before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding – is critical to preventing malnutrition in all its forms. It is important to note that the 1st 1000 days of a child's life (from conception to the second birthday) are very critical to shape a child's future growth and wellbeing.

Rise Against Hunger India has expanded its outreach activities in some of the most undernourished and food-insecure pockets in India in the Eastern Region (Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand). One common feature that marks the 150 villages where we are working is their ability to access public health and nutrition services. Though government frontline workers try to reach these villages, many mothers and children are not able to access these services. Hence, most mothers do not get the required health check-up services and supplements during the pregnancy, and most deliveries are done at home. Children are mostly anaemic and malnourished.

To overcome the poor nutritional status of mothers and young children, Rise Against Hunger India has started a project in about 52 villages/hamlets in 10 Districts where pregnant women, lactating mothers and children below 2 years are provided hot, cooked nutritious meals. Mothers come together to a common place where they cook meals by themselves in rotation and consume the meals together. The meals provided by Rise Against Hunger India are mix of rice, dal (lentils), dehydrated vegetables and a micronutrient sachet that contains 20 vitamins and minerals. The micronutrients and minerals help children and mothers overcome nutritional deficiencies.

Here are the list and flow of activities:
Activity 1.1: Identification & mobilization of eligible participants, cooking venue.
Activity 1.2: Developing protocols (hygiene and sanitation related) for cooking.
Activity 1.3: Provision of packaged meals and cooking ingredients
Activity 1.4 Cooking demo and training on use of micronutrients provided by Rise Against Hunger India (the micronutrient sachet contains 20 minerals and vitamins essential during pregnancy and early childhood stage)
Activity 1.5: Maintain a Health and Nutrition Card for each participant, record height, weight and BMI on a monthly basis
Activity 1.6: Report high risk cases for referral and coordinate with local health care workers for immediate intervention

The overall aim of this project is to ensure that all pregnant & lactating mothers and young children receive adequate nutrition and there is a community based alert system to identify critical cases that need immediate intervention. In the long term, this project will help bring down malnutrition to zero and prevent maternal and child deaths.

Total participants:
Mothers - 800
Children - 600

Project Duration:
2 Years (January 2024 to December 2025)