Anna Patra

The 2016 Global Hunger Index ranks India 97 out of 118 countries, considering indicators like child wasting and stunting, child mortality, and underno Read moreurishment. A WHO report highlights that 44% of children below the age of 5 in India are underweight. This malnutrition not only elevates the risk of childhood illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria but also disrupts their education due to persistent illnesses. Anna Patra embodies a single vision: "No child in India shall be deprived of education due to hunger." To realize this goal, a two-fold project strategy has been devised. The first strategy focuses on providing nutritious mid-day meals to children below 14 years of age, including street children engaged in activities like begging and garbage collection, as well as students in primary schools located in urban slums. This initiative targets the most deprived children, offering them nutrient-rich meals to combat protein and energy malnutrition and deficiencies in critical micronutrients, ultimately reducing vulnerability to infections. The second strategy aims to offer affordable nutritious food to pregnant women, senior citizens, and undernourished adults. Malnutrition weakens the immune system and increases the risk of infections and diseases. It's a major contributor to active tuberculosis and affects the transmission of HIV from mother to child. In areas with limited access to safe drinking water, these additional health risks pose critical challenges. Moreover, malnutrition's adverse effects on energy and cognitive function create a downward spiral, hindering individuals from acquiring food and earning income. Insufficient breastfeeding also leads to infant and child malnutrition, contributing to an estimated one million child deaths annually. Maternal malnutrition can further jeopardize the health and survival of babies, with over 800,000 neonatal deaths attributed to fetal growth deficiency. Overreliance on a single food source, such as consuming predominantly corn or rice, can cause malnutrition due to inadequate nutritional variety. It's not just about calorie intake; deficiencies in specific nutrients like vitamin A, iron, or zinc elevate the risk of mortality. Anna Patra is dedicated to combating these challenges and building a healthier, stronger nation by nourishing lives and bridging the gap between hunger and education.