Promoting Health, Security & Dignity of Internally Displaced Persons

The unrest in Chhattisgarh has forced more than 50,000 people to leave the conflict ridden districts of Dantewada and Bijapur to seek refuge in the neighbouring  state of Andhra Pradesh (AP).

Having lost their homes, lands, livestock and livelihoods in Chattisgarh, these displaced families are living in the most vulnerable condition. 

Children in the area are the worst affected. The situation has deprived them of their right to development and is threatening their very survival. 

Nutrition is a significant concern given the critical lack of livelihoods, access to health care, water/ sanitation facilities, understanding of appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and caring practices.  

The children are also facing hunger & psycho-social distress.

Save the Children is working to ensure that children in the area attain the basic right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Along with providing humanitarian relief, we are working to improve the nutritional status of children living in IDP settlements through various approaches such as Community Management of Acute Malnutrition, organizing Nutrition Health Days, and by improving Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices.

Save the Children has also established Nutrition Learning Centers in 10 vulnerable settlements. These NLCs provide nutritious food to children between 2-12 years and to Pregnant & Lactating Women (PLW). In addition, we also educate the mothers and children about feeding practices.

We are also addressing the psycho-social needs of children by setting up child-friendly spaces and equipping these spaces in 34 settlements with appropriate play and learning materials.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Till date, we have reached out to 1,880 children and 50 IDP settlements. 

• We distributed food Baskets that directly benefited 500 households – 797 children and 845 adults covering 50 IDP Settlements.

• 3,644 people (1,689 adults and 1,955 children) we provided health care services for the first time in their settlement with the team of doctors through Health Camps.

• Solar Lamps have been provided to help IDPs attend to healthcare emergencies.

• The project intervention has given an opportunity to 150 families to register themselves under NREGA scheme and access work opportunities.

• With project activities such as 'Hyderabad Mix' and 'Nutrition Feeding Center', the levels of malnourishment is remarkably decreasing among children.