“I was scared when the lockdown began as I was pregnant, and my delivery was due the following month. Unfortunately, my fears did come true when my delivery date arrived. The ambulance denied coming to my village. With a lot of difficulties, we managed to travel to the hospital through auto paying double than the usual charge. Post-delivery, I was sceptical about whether I should be breastfeeding my child or not due to fear of Corona. But thanks to Asha didi that she advised me to go ahead with breastfeeding taking the hygiene precautions” – shared Sheila Devi, Mata Samiti Member from Roshni Suposhan while speaking of her experiences during the lockdown.

India’s progress on scaling up health and nutrition services has been encouraging in the pre-pandemic period. However, with COVID and followed lockdown has resulted in a plethora of challenges in the delivery of health services. Subsequent closure of ICDS (Anganwadi Centres), Immunisation services halted, PHCs non-accessible during lockdown may lead to backtracking of progress made in the field of health & nutrition creating a threat to child survival and health. Thus, during this World Breastfeeding Week, 2020, Caritas India organised a webinar on the topic “Nutrition and Food Security of Musahar Community during the pandemic” on 6^th August 2020.

Fr. Jolly, Asst Executive Director, CI  while setting the context of the Webinar  welcomed the Govt. dignitaries and esteemed speakers, CSOs and National Organisations who participated in the Webinar “This webinar aims at creating a platform for the development partners, policymakers, civil society organizations, Right to Food Campaigners and Musahar Community members this World Breastfeeding Week to discuss the current scenario addressing  gaps and experiences from ground zero to ensure nutrition amongst the Musahar community amidst this pandemic.”

Fr. Paul, Executive Director, CI in his keynote address shared, “We all had a very privileged childhood where our mothers breastfed us and had the accessibility of nutritious food for mother and children. But it is not the same as everyone. The Musahar community children are deprived of this early nutrient which is beneficial for their life. Caritas India has been working in complementarity with govt. initiatives of Bihar and strengthen ICDS services and connect pregnant and lactating mothers especially from the Mushahar community with ICDS services. The major objective is to create awareness among pregnant women to take care of their child’s nutrition and regular visit to ICDS centre for its services. We have to travel miles in bringing the desired change in the lives of this community. Caritas India is committed to march forward, to take this agenda forward in complimentary with the Government initiatives.”  

“The impact of COVID-19 is not equal. The access to health care facilities and nutritional meals is limited when it comes to poor and vulnerable children. Among these, the girl children are further marginalised and even more vulnerable are children from Mahadalit Communities. The condition of Mushahar Children and Community calls for special attention as they are often seen in the eerie of society and remain excluded.  In efforts to find out solutions to ensure food and nutritional security for the Musahars amidst this pandemic, it calls for a collective convergence of key stakeholders to devise a concrete action plan to reach out to the most marginalised and work towards the anthem of  SDGs “leave no one behind”- Stated Most Rev. Bishop Sebastian Kallupura, Chairman, CI.

 Ms.Babita Alick, Operations Manager, CI  moderated the Webinar, inviting Ms. Sunanda Pandey, Member – SCPCR, Bihar to deliver her talk on the topic, “ Protection of Mushahar Children & action plan from Pandemic Perspective”. Ms.Sunanda shared about the initiatives taken by Bihar Govt. to ensure access of the underprivileged communities through PDS and other services during Pandemic. She further invited CSOs to share their feedbacks and ground issues with govt. so that an appropriate measure can be undertaken.

Ms.Sweta Sahay, Asst. Director and Nodal Officer, National Nutrition Mission delivered on the topic, “Combating Malnutrition through ICDS services amidst Pandemic”. She shared about the initiatives taken by Anganwadi workers in terms of the door to door services under ‘Take Home Ration’ amidst pandemic. Ms.Sweta also shared the initiatives of sending across mobile messaging health alerts for lactating mothers, regular supply of Sudha milk packets to mothers. She further shared the practice of real-time monitoring of Anganwadi workers and the proposed planning of launching mobile Angandwadi Van considering the COVID context.

Mr Rabi Narayan Parhi, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF, Bihar delivered on the topic, “A multi-level framework for Action addressing Nutrition amidst Pandemic”. He shared a technical analysis of the current situation and where we need to focus in order to combat Malnutrition. He talked about the multiple causes of Malnutrition and focused on distinction and overlaps between hunger, food insecurity and undernutrition. Mr.Rabi further shared the impact projection showing the poor condition which we are going to face due to the current pandemic in terms of nutrition. He presented the Nutrition recommendation during COVID 19 pandemic which includes Individual, Community, National and Global aspects.

“The National Food Security Act said that inclusion of backward community will take place automatically and RTF Campaign also advocates the same, but the reality is totally different in terms of Musahar Community. There is no hope for ensuring food security for them. During the lockdown phase, ICDS centres are totally closed, Cash transfer has taken very late when the situation got very bad, No account of children, MDM issues with account also. Hence, it is important for us to present the grassroots reality to govt. so that the right to food is ensured for this Marginalised Community.” shared Mr.Rupesh Kumar, Bihar State Convener – Right To Food Campaign.

Mr.Sarabjeet Pattnayak, Care India- Bihar emphasized that maternal and health-related awareness by Front line workers, frequent home visits, increasing immunization coverage, the practice of early breastfeeding, and social behaviour change are the main tool to address malnutrition. Convergence with department and CSO will reduce the social exclusion and promotion of hand wash and hygiene practices, supply chain of NTHR and importance of VHSND will play a pivotal role in arresting Malnutrition amidst COVID.

Ms. Savita Dennyson from World Vision, Bihar focused on the relevance of RMNCHA (Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child Health + Adolescence). She further shared that to tackle malnutrition amongst Musahar Community a multisectoral approach is required as they remain excluded from the society. Techniques ranging from kitchen gardening, family planning, growth monitoring of each child and linking them with essential ICDS services as well as NRC remains crucial. Nutrition can be ensured to the Musahars only when their social dignity, equality, rights and entitlements are ensured.

Ms. Rashi Mitra, Officer-Child Rights, CI moderated the open session inviting Mr. Kapileshwar, State Convener – Dalit Adhikar Manch. Mr.Kapileshwar shared that it is saddening to see that even after years of independence,  Musahar Community is still oppressed. Their empowerment is only possible through economic and social mainstreaming by ensuring their basic access to education.

Mr. Marut Nandan from KGVS shared that the Musahar community always live in the pandemic situation as they lack access to their basic rights and entitlements such as PDS card, land etc.

Mr.Rajesh Upadhyay, HOD, CI shared the way forward by sharing concrete action plans of Caritas India to ensure food and nutritional security for Musahars by devising collective action for strong convergence with CSOs. “Caritas India looks forward to being part of deliberation and discussion of the State Nutrition Plan, initiate a platform for dialogue, interactions and exchange of ideas with Govt, CSOs and is committed to work towards securing the dignity of Musahar and ensure their social as well as economic empowerment”, echoed Mr.Rajesh. 

The Webinar concluded by Vote of Thanks extended by Mr.Abhishek Kumar, CI State officer – Bihar.