Project Name

Addressing undernutrition through community engagement and system strengthening – Nutrition

Introduction

PANI is implementing the project across four blocks—Utraula and Sriduttganj in Balrampur, and Birdpur and Naugarh in Siddharth Nagar—two districts that are part of the eight aspirational districts in Uttar Pradesh. Together, these blocks span 221 Gram Panchayats with a population of 6,48,430, including a high proportion of children under six. Both districts face persistent nutrition and healthcare delivery challenges, particularly among children under five, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. These districts face severe socio-economic challenges, reflected in high rates of undernutrition and anaemia, especially among marginalized communities. The initiative is strengthening community-based interventions through 724 Anganwadi Centers, with support from 559 ASHAs and 106 ANMs, focusing on improving maternal health, child nutrition, and early childhood care. By reinforcing government programs and addressing systemic service gaps, the project aims to drive sustainable improvements in health, nutrition, and community outreach across the targeted regions.

Objective/Purpose

To improve the nutritional status of pregnant women, lactating mothers, and under 5 years children in Balrampur and Siddharth Nagar districts with a focus on the 1000-days approach through systems strengthening, and social behaviour change.
Project Objectives
1. To improve access to outreach services related to health & nutrition for pregnant, lactating mothers and under 5 children
2. To improve knowledge, skills, and sustainable practices for adopting optimal behaviors related to nutrition, health, and hygiene through SBCC
3. To facilitate SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) and MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition) children’s care in the community or at Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRC) as applicable.