Imran Zakir
KARACHI: A two-day Dissemination and Project Closeout Event was held at a local hotel in Karachi to mark the culmination of the European Union-funded initiative, “Strengthening Civil Society and Community-Based (CSOs) Organizations to address the Nutritional challenges in Sindh.”
The EUR 6 million project, jointly implemented by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF), and the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), targeted five of Sindh’s most malnutrition-affected districts: Sukkur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Khairpur, and Naushahro Feroze.
Over the past two years, the programme achieved substantial progress, including a 51% rise in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) treatment uptake and the provision of 40,000 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for malnourished children.
Fahad Abbasi, Country Director of IRC Pakistan, thanked the European Union for its support and stressed the need for a sustained multisectoral approach to end malnutrition. “The fight against malnutrition requires interventions that address poverty, limited access to healthcare and education, gender disparities, dietary deficiencies, and food insecurity,” he said.
Barbara Riksen, Team Leader for Rural Development and Economic Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Pakistan, highlighted the importance of community participation. “Malnutrition is a complex issue that demands not only technical solutions but strong engagement from local communities,” she noted.
Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Sindh’s Minister for Health and Population Welfare and chief guest on the second day, emphasized the decade-long collaboration through EU-WINS, EU-PINS, and EU-SIGN initiatives, which align with the Sindh government’s Accelerated Action Plan for stunting and malnutrition. She underscored that investment in nutrition directly contributes to preventive healthcare, economic growth, and a more resilient health system.
A panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Rahomal Lohano (IRC), featured prominent experts including Dr. Farhana Memon (RMNCH Sindh), Dr. Abdul Qadir Shah (Health Department), Ishaq Somro (SUN-SCA), Dr. Sajid Shafique (PPHI), Zahida Parveen (SPO), and Prof. Nusrat Kamal Shah, Vice Chancellor of SMBB Medical University.
Dr. Farhana Memon identified key challenges, particularly in reaching scattered populations through lady health workers, focusing on multigravida and pregnant women with interventions such as deworming and iron-folate supplementation. She emphasized family planning, low-birth-weight prevention, and strengthening primary healthcare systems and civil society partnerships.
Prof. Nusrat Kamal Shah expressed concern over the exclusion of Larkana from the project, noting persistent myths and lack of awareness regarding nutrition. “This cannot be achieved without collaboration,” she said, highlighting SMBBU’s efforts in establishing a Nutrition Innovation Centre.
Social media can play a pivotal role in raising awareness, added Ishaq Somro, while Dr. Sajid Shafique (PPHI) commended the involvement of the agriculture department for the first time, calling it a unique and promising development.
Agha Fakhar Hussain, Director Human Rights, emphasized nutrition as a fundamental right. “Strong accountability and recognition of nutrition and breastfeeding rights are essential for long-term progress,” he said.
Dr. Fozia Hameed, MPA (MQM), appreciated the collaborative efforts of all implementing partners.
The event was also attended by Dr. Shah Miran (CEO-MERF), Javed Jabbar (Board Member, SPO), Dr. Tahmina Mangan (Vice Chancellor, BNBWU), Dr. Yousaf Khushk (Vice Chancellor, SALU), and Dr. Kamal Shah, Principal, Ziauddin School of Public Health, among others.
The closeout witnessed robust participation from the Sindh Health Department, AAP Taskforce, PPHI, WHO, academia, and numerous civil society organizations, reaffirming collective commitment to combating malnutrition and strengthening community resilience in Sindh.
