Caritas India and partners of “SUPOSHAN- An Integrated Health, Nutrition and Empowerment of Dalit Musahar community” programme, in Bihar, concluded the baseline survey of Rishidev, Saday and Manji communities in 45 hamlets of Saharsa, Madhepura and Araria, on September 26. The baseline survey intends to (i) understand the prevailing food habits and status of nutrition; (ii) The awareness and access to relevant entitlements related to food security and health of women and children(iii) understand their livelihood status and vulnerability; and (iv) functioning of basic public healthcare institutions and essential services.

The study engaged social work students from the Patna University, and received critical inputs from UNICEF Bihar on the baseline tool, later led by a Public Health Consultant. As part of the intervention, collectives of mothers, adolescent girl, and community development committee across project villages were active part of the survey.The Panchayat members and Anganwadi workers supported the survey by being part of participatory rural analysis this May-June, after which they along with other block officials participated in the district level launch of the programme.

Bihar has the third highest number of malnourished children in India, and nearly 2.2 million Musahars, which constitute 15% of the state’s Dalit population.

With about 96.3% of them being landless, Musahars live in appalling conditions of poverty and 92.5% of them eke out a living as unskilled or farm labourers. Chronic poverty, abysmally low literacy rate, early marriages and inadequate dietary intake have adversely affected the health of Musahar community, particularly of women and children.

Caritas India, with support of Caritas Germany, has embarked upon this programme from February this year, to address chronic hunger and malnutrition among the community, together with three partners,namely Muzaffarpur Diocese Social Service Society, Prayas and Social Service Centre.It intends to do by (i) Strengthening and creating household-level food production and livelihood options. (ii) Functionalising public systems and realisation of health and nutrition rights. (iii) Representation in local governance and good governance. and (iv) Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) awareness and activities, post baseline findings.