Objective:

To address malnutrition in climate-impacted regions through a structured year-long programme focusing on nutrition education, individualized counselling, health screenings and community-based capacity building.

Overview:

Climate change is contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition in the Sundarbans. Irregular rainfall, saline intrusion, and economic distress are reducing dietary diversity and food access, particularly among children. In response, SEED implemented a one-year intervention to build community nutrition resilience in Namkhana Block.

The programme began with baseline nutritional assessments (height, weight, BMI) of all identified 200 children, followed by quarterly nutrition workshops for caregivers. These sessions were focused on preparing nutritious meals using locally available food sources. Additionally, individualized diet counselling and the distribution of iron, vitamin and deworming were undertaken.

Simultaneously, a structured capacity-building sessions trained ICDS workers, ASHAs and schoolteachers on addressing  malnourishment in climate affected children. Quarterly monitoring camps tracked child health and 2 community nutrition kitchens were piloted with SHG support.

Key Components:

• Monthly Workshops for mothers on low-cost, nutritious meal planning
• Quarterly Capacity-Building for frontline health workers on child malnutrition and response
• Individualized Counselling and follow-up diet plans for undernourished children
• Nutritional Supplement Kits distribution (iron, vitamin A, deworming, etc.)
• Piloted 2 Community Kitchens  led by SHGs to promote locally-sourced nutritious meals

Impact:

• 50% reduction in moderate malnutrition among targeted children.
• 80% of mothers trained in locally-sourced nutrition and food safety.
• 100% deworming and anemia screening coverage.
• Sustainable adoption of healthy eating practices using local resources.
• Strengthened health-nutrition-service linkages via empowered frontline workers.