By Halima-Tus-Sadia, Head of Growth and Karishma Tahsin, Communications Manager at Spreeha Foundation
Mother feeding her children in the community. Photo: Spreeha Foundation
“My son Rizbi is three and a half but he didn’t look like one, he was severely underweight. He used to fall sick, frequently. Since the COVID-19 happened, our income reduced significantly. I was at a loss about what to feed my son and how to help him. Then I took him to Spreeha healthcare center. We also got food support from them. Now, my son is better than ever…”
– says Rizbi’s mother Nipa. Her son is no longer malnourished since she joined Spreeha Nutrition Program in Dhaka
In the bustling heart of Rayerbazar, Dhaka, a once-underdeveloped area faced a troubling dilemma – undernourished children, reduced incomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and food insecurity. The story of Rizbi, a once severely underweight 3-year-old, reflects the transformative impact of Spreeha’s Nutrition Program. Through dedicated community health workers, monthly food support, and guidance on nutrition, children like Rizbi are now on a path to better health.
The Hunger Challenge in Bangladesh
In a nation of 165 million, Bangladesh had achieved self-sustainability in staple foods like rice, fish, and vegetables before the pandemic. However, even in pre-pandemic times, 40 million people remained food insecure, and 11 million suffered from acute hunger. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, poverty rate increased by 10%, with 65% of Dhaka’s slum-dwelling families experiencing a 26% income loss, earning less than $80 per month for a family of five. Prolonged lockdowns forced 69% of these households to reduce their food consumption, and nearly half of families with children reported skipping one meal daily due to financial constraints. Spreeha’s regular growth monitoring activities for under-5-year-old children also revealed an increase in mild and moderate malnutrition cases.
A High-Impact Nutrition Initiative
Faced with these challenges, Spreeha, in partnership with Confidence Group, launched a COVID-19 response project to support ultra-poor households in Dhaka’s Rayerbazar slum with monthly food relief. The project aimed to secure access to nutritious food amidst disrupted supply chains and income loss. Households with monthly incomes below $150 and families with children under 5, pregnant women, and elderly individuals were eligible to receive support for two years.
Spreeha community health worker distributing food package. Photo: Spreeha Foundation
This initiative went beyond mere relief. Spreeha’s health workers conducted door-to-door health check-ups, identified malnutrition cases, provided nutrition education, and offered guidance on age-appropriate diets, supplements, and medications. Over two years, the project provided monthly food support to 50,000 people, screened 15,313 individuals for malnutrition, treated 4,794 malnourished patients, and educated 21,090 people on nutrition. Additionally, 52,000 people received hygiene materials to prevent diseases, contributing to overall well-being.
Lessons from the Field
Reducing malnutrition is a long-term endeavor, but it can escalate quickly. Malnutrition’s complex causes include poverty, food shortages, lack of food access, price increases, and a lack of knowledge. These challenges demand comprehensive solutions such as raising incomes, improving food distribution, providing nutrition education, and controlling food prices. For instance, severe malnutrition cases surged in just six months of the pandemic, yet it took two years to achieve a 9% reduction.
Shifting to a Nutrient-Rich Diet
Bangladesh traditionally favors carbohydrate-heavy diets, particularly rice, which often overshadows other essential nutrients. Spreeha recognized the need for a shift towards nutrient-diverse diets. The program educated adolescents on nutrition, emphasized the importance of vegetables and iron-rich foods, taught parents about balanced diets on a limited budget, and provided cooking strategies to retain the nutritional value of foods.
Interactive materials and discussions promoted dietary charts suited to specific needs at a low cost, encouraging lasting dietary changes.
Nutrition education session at home. Photo: Spreeha Foundation
Challenges in Food Security
Ensuring food security often requires the step of growing your own food at your home. Unlike rural areas, slum dwellers in Dhaka have limited or no space for growing their own food. These densely packed and makeshift settlements lack essential infrastructure for food cultivation. As a result, slum dwellers rely on external food sources and markets, highlighting the importance of a strong supply chain and affordable food availability.
Towards a Nourished Future
The impact of COVID-19 on the economy continues in 2023, underscoring the importance of equipping communities to combat food insecurity and malnutrition. Spreeha remains steadfast in its mission to enhance overall health and well-being, with a focus on improving community nutrition. By providing the right tools and resources, Spreeha aims to empower everyone to live life to the fullest.
Spreeha’s Nutrition Program is not just about feeding the hungry—it’s a testament to resilience and hope that can transform communities, one nutritious meal at a time.
Nutrition consultation happening at Spreeha healthcare center. Photo: Spreeha Foundation
Links:
Check out our nutrition program video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATDoU7tiaSw
Donate here at https://www.spreeha.org/donate
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Spreeha Foundation has been a GlobalWA member since 2013. Spreeha strives to break the cycle of poverty for underprivileged people by providing healthcare, education, and skills training. Spreeha envisions life without poverty where underprivileged people are empowered to improve their quality of life. spreeha.org