Highlights
WFP is assisting the Government of Uttar Pradesh in establishing Take-Home Ration (THR) production units. A total of 204 THR units across 43 districts have become operational, fully meeting the initial scaleup target. The units are producing nutritious rations for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and adolescent girls.
Operational Updates
Social Protection and Supply Chain
- WFP has installed the fifth Flospan in Mizoram, a prefabricated storage structure that increases storage capacity and reduces food grain losses. WFP is supporting the Government of India in modernizing grain storage systems.
- In Uttarakhand, WFP has installed 17 Annapurti or Grain-Dispensing Solutions in supporting the government in scaling up its installation. WFP has installed 25 Annapurti solutions across India.
- On 7 December, WFP held a capacity strengthening session on sampling methods for demographic and health survey. Government officials, consultants, and young professionals of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office and NITI Aayog participated in the session.
Nutrition and School Feeding
- Social Behaviour Change Communication campaign on fortified rice continued in Bihar. Fifty sensitisation sessions and rallies were organized in 50 Government schools.
- In Bihar, 173 rice millers and 17 Food and Civil Supplies officials were trained on quality assurance and quality control aspects of rice fortification.
- Additionally, 289 Integrated Child Development Scheme officials from Bihar and Odisha were sensitized.
Women Empowerment
- As part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (GBV) campaign, three events were organized, featuring expert sessions on gender and mental health, and personal stories of combating GBV.
- WFP visited the solar-powered cold storage unit set up in Dhenkanal, Odisha, and met with the members of women’s self-help groups who were trained earlier this year in operating and managing the unit. The mission confirmed successful operation, including post-harvest storage and adoption of staggered selling to gain better profits.
Climate and Resilience
- In October 2023, WFP participated in the Post Disaster Needs Assessment to evaluate the damages and losses caused by the Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in Sikkim.
- In Odisha, 12 women farmer units in Hinjlicut and Sanakhemundi have processed over 16 mt of cabbage under the Solar for Resilience (S4R) project.
- As part of a project to enhance the resilience and adaptation of farming communities, a community adaptation planning exercise was completed in two villages in Odisha.
FAQ
What is the purpose of Take-Home Ration (THR) production units?
The purpose of THR units is to produce nutritious rations for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and adolescent girls, thereby addressing malnutrition and improving overall health outcomes.
How is WFP supporting the modernization of grain storage systems in India?
WFP is supporting the modernization of grain storage systems by installing prefabricated storage structures, such as the Flospan, which increase storage capacity and reduce food grain losses.
What activities are included in the Women Empowerment initiatives?
Women Empowerment initiatives include events focused on combating gender-based violence, training and support for women’s self-help groups, and promoting solar-powered cold storage units to enhance post-harvest storage and profitability for women farmers.
Conclusion
Overall, the December 2023 Country Brief for WFP India showcases the organization’s impactful initiatives in social protection, nutrition, women empowerment, and climate resilience. The operational updates highlight the collaborative efforts with government agencies and local communities to address food security, support women empowerment, and enhance climate resilience. The FAQ section further illustrates the key objectives and activities undertaken by WFP in India, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable development and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations.
