Humanitarian context
With the fastest-growing economy in the world, India has risen to sixth place in the world economy rankings. Persistent humanitarian progress is reflected in the remarkable literacy rate and the increasing improvement in the well-being of the population in terms of health. However, there are notable inequalities in society, as so far only a small segment of the population has experienced the benefits of the economic boom.
Although according to the Indian Constitution of 1950 no one can be discriminated against on the basis of their caste, the reality is different. Around 800 million people in India are still living in poverty. Especially in the more rural regions or slums, living conditions are comparable to those of the world's poorest countries. It ranks 107th out of 121 countries on the 2022 Global Hunger Index, with a score of 29.1 (severe level).
The country has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world and, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India accounts for about 24 per cent of the world's hungry population.
India is also the nation with the highest degree of child wasting: About 34.7% of children under five years of age suffer from stunting and 17.3%, wasting. Several factors contribute to this situation, such as poverty, poor access to health care, poor sanitation and hygiene practices, lack of education and limited access to safe drinking water.
BENEFICIARIES
workers
Our activity
Action Against Hunger intensifies its efforts to counter undernutrition among children and mothers and in 2022 began working in Gujarat State with a project designed to improve the nutrition and health status of children under five years of age. To achieve this, it is committed to spreading information about feeding practices for infants and young children, diagnoses, transfers and treatments for children with severe acute malnutrition, as well as providing home care to children with moderate acute malnutrition. It also aims to develop practices and knowledge around water, sanitation and hygiene in order to improve the nutritional and health status of pregnant mothers and newborns.
Together, the work of Action Against Hunger in India can detect signs of severe and moderate acute malnutrition in children under the age of five.
In addition, we provide communities with a livelihood and better nutrition. To do this, we help them create, grow and maintain their own nutritious gardens, raise chickens for food and to sell eggs and poultry, practice organic and sustainable farming, fish farming and much more.
WHERE WE HELP
We help 24.5 million people each year. We work in 55 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, those most threatened by hunger.
EYEWITNESSES
WHEN COORDINATORS OF AN ACTION AGAINST HUNGER PROJECT IN GUJARAT, WESTERN INDIA, SPOKE TO SHILPA AND HER FAMILY
who are involved in agriculture, advising them on Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practices and explaining the importance of monitoring the child's growth, along with a nutritious diet for the young mother; they discovered that Shilpa's health was compromised due to a socio-cultural myth that had been imposed on her.
When the team visited her, she was low on energy, and ill. It was the second time she had been ill after giving birth. Her condition was of great concern as it could lead to her being a malnourished mother at a stage in her life when her nutritional needs are high and essential.
The reason for his poor nutritional status was that her mother had recommended that she eat only grits, which promote digestion and regular bowel movements. For the first three months after giving birth, Shilpa ate only grits, nothing else. Although grits are good for the mother, the exclusion of other key nutrients had created a nutritional gap, so our teams advised her to include green leafy vegetables, fruits, lentils, millet or wheat bread, rice, and other foods in her regular diet. Thanks to these changes and regular counselling, her diet has improved, which has had a positive impact on her health and her baby's growth and development.
Inadequate intake of nutrients such as calcium, folate, iron, zinc and iodine can lead to anaemia, haemorrhage and even maternal death. If the mother does not receive optimal nutrition during breastfeeding, her health and the growth and development of her child will be negatively affected. Around the world, women's diets are affected by many factors: accessibility, affordability, gender inequality, socio-cultural practices... all of which affect their diets and nutritional needs. This nutritional deficiency, micronutrient supplementation, rest, care and psychological support are the key to preventing malnutrition in adolescent mothers and their children, which is why Action Against Hunger coordinators make home visits to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children up to the age of two to ensure a healthier foundation for their lives.