A photo exhibition organized by Concern Worldwide, to visually connect impact stories of the European Union (EU) funded nutrition governance project and its significant approaches in addressing the challenges of malnutrition and improving the nutrition status of mothers, adolescent, and children in Bangladesh.
The exhibition portrays stories of change in the communities of Bagerhat, in Coastal Bangladesh. The captured images reflect the experiences of local people who have taken charge of their nutrition and food security. Audiences will be able to learn about their journeys of change and get inspiration for their own food choices and related behaviors. All photos and stories presented the impact of the EU’s support and highlight the nutrition project’s impact at the local, and contribute to policy advocacy at the national level with the relevant actors.
In December 2021, at the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Tokyo, the Commission announced a new pledge of €2.5 billion for 2021-2024 to reduce all forms of malnutrition. This contribution covers humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs as well as support to tackle the underlying causes of malnutrition, including a longer-term food systems transformation in EU partner countries.
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley said, “The need for more equitable, resilient, and sustainable food and health systems has never been as urgent since the COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted global food security. The EU, together with partners like Concern in Bangladesh is contributing to addressing malnutrition in a comprehensive manner, by supporting the transformation of the country’s food system on one side, and social and behavior change communication (SBCC) of people on the other side. We want to create a healthy future for all Bangladeshi people, free from malnutrition. We are happy to have been Bangladesh’s partner during his journey to becoming a food self-sufficient country, a food secure country, and we want to continue this journey together to ensure nutrition security in the country”.
The three-year EU-funded project “Collective Responsibility, Action and Accountability for Improved Nutrition” (CRAAIN) is implemented by Concern Worldwide and their partners (WaterAid, JJS, and Rupantar) in the climate-vulnerable coastal context, Bagerhat. The project used an integrated, comprehensive, and multi-sectoral approach to improve nutrition in four priority sectors, namely Nutrition, Agriculture, Social Safety Nets, and WASH, aiming to establish an innovative, resilient, and scalable local-level pro-poor nutrition governance model.
To improve nutrition governance, Concern has been involving the community, government departments, private sector, youth groups, researchers, and civil society. Concern has been working with the Bangladesh National Nutrition Council for the implementation of second Bangladesh’s Second National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN2).
“Bangladesh has made considerable improvement in nutrition and food security. Though the Government of Bangladesh expressed a strong commitment to address undernutrition, but the recent pandemic, and climate change have adversely affected the phenomena of hunger and nutrition worsening the conditions for the people living in poverty.
We all including donor agencies, government, NGOs, and other sectors must work together to keep the momentum on the nutrition and food security and governance system in the political agenda. That will help to improve the accountability for food and nutrition security outcomes,” said Manish Kumar Agrawal, Country Director, of Concern Worldwide.
He added, “We call everyone’s voices and action towards nutrition governance to building a thriving, prosperous country.”
The exhibition aims to reach a wide audience, including policymakers, non-government organizations, media, civil society, youth groups, and the general public, to stress the importance of their role in improving nutrition security in Bangladesh and contributing to reaching the country’s target within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For queries and more information, please contact Afroza Sharmin, Communications Coordinator, Concern Worldwide, 01781474683 or by emailing afroza.sharmin@concern.net
Notes to the Editor
** Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization working in over 27 countries, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.
** In Bangladesh, Concern delivers programs following five strategic objectives, aligned with the Government priorities outlined in the 8th Five-Year Plan and with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
** To achieve systemic change, Bangladesh’s program focuses on governance, nutrition, health system strengthening, livelihood, climate change, disaster risk reduction, Rohingya refugee response, etc.
