1 in every 2 children in India is malnourished. And what is even scarier is that without immediate help the effects of malnutrition can last a lifetime - affecting overall development and even survival. CRY works in some of the most remote and marginalized areas of the country to protect children from malnutrition and help them overcome the challenges they face to access proper nutrition and health.
Malnutrition is one of the most serious problems facing children in India today. While extreme poverty is one of the main reasons - lack of access to proper facilities, combined with the lack of knowledge on how to detect and treat malnutrition - further compounds the problem. A network of Anganwadi centers are meant to be present across the country to help children fight malnutrition. However these centers are absent in many villages. As a result children do not get access to proper nutrition.
By working with parents, communities and care givers - CRY seeks to address the issue of malnutrition at the very root. By activating ICDS and Anganwadi networks - CRY ensures that children can access these services. The team works with families to help them understand the issue of malnutrition and get their children the help they need. While children benefit from the regular supplementary nutrition and growth monitoring - the team also facilitates proper care for severely malnourished children
Since the CRY team works to activate services and change mindsets - the changes that are brought about are permanent. Communities not only learn how to help their children fight malnutrition but they also put processes in place to prevent malnutrition altogether. And these practices become a matter of habit and permanent change.
