Context:

=> The Assam Mission on Malnutrition was launched in 2020 to eradicate malnutrition among children in the age group of six months to five years.

• It was launched under the name Project Parvarish.

About the Mission:

=> It was launched during Poshan Maah 2020. POSHAN Maah is celebrated in the month of September.

=> It is celebrated to increase people participation in the nutrition initiatives, especially Poshan Abhiyan.

=> It was launched by the Cachar Deputy Commission

=> The main aim of the project is to reduce the number of malnourished children who cannot provide nutritious food and also for malnourished children below poverty line.

=> The mission aims to improve the nutritional status of the children in the state.

=> The main objective of the mission is to reduce the Severe Acute Malnutrition in children belonging to BPL (Below Poverty Line).

=> So far, the project has helped 800 children. Of this 704 recovered from acute malnourishment.

SKOCH Award:

The project was recently awarded the SKOCH award for its socio-economic approaches. The SKOCH awards were launched in 2003. They were launched for people and projects that make India a better nation. It recognizes citizen service delivery, capacity building and empowerment, corporate governance, change management, inclusive growth, excellence in technology and application.

What is Severe Acute Malnutrition?

The mission focuses on SAM. It is the condition where in the Z – score is below -3 or the mid upper arm circumference is less than 115 milli metres. It is a social and medical disorder.