Government and NGOs together can eliminate hunger

by Akshaya Patra NGO in India - Akshaya Patra

India has the second-largest population in the world. For such a large population, many issues and problems are bound to pop up. Thus, the Government works continuously to eliminate the root cause of a problem.

The Indian food and grocery market is the sixth-largest, and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth.

Yet, there are over 196 million undernourished people in India. This puts India in 94^th position on the Global Index Hunger 2020. To eliminate hunger, the Government of India has made various provisions like the Public Distribution System, the Antodaya Anna Rozgar Yojana, the Mid-Day Meal Programme, etc.

There are over 3.2 million non-profit organisations that are registered in India to provide solutions to problems ranging from cleanliness, infrastructure, garbage disposal, waste management, hunger in children, etc. To address the challenges of food insecurity in India, several NGOs joined hands with the Government.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has taken away jobs, skyrocketed uncertainty of food and worsened the nutritional levels among the already vulnerable populations of India. To feed the needy people during the chaos brought by the Coronavirus, NGOs work in tandem to help food reach people in every corner of India. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a non-governmental organisation that works towards its core cause of feeding mid-day meals to school children studying in Government and Government-aided schools spread across 12 States and 2 Union Territories of India.

To support the feeding of marginalised and low-income sections of India, Akshaya Patra began its COVID-19 Relief Service. So far, with extensive support from the Government, the NGO in India has served over 10-crore meals to needy people. As a part of its relief service, meals and grocery kits are distributed to people hailing from challenging socio-economic backgrounds. The Foundation has provided food relief to people like Indra, Kokilaben, Shaheen, Narsamma, etc.

To read about their stories and how Akshaya Patra supported them, click here.

To curb the spread of the virus, schools were shut all over. There was a visible difference in the physical development of school children since they were bereft of their healthy source of meals.

To continue its support towards school children, Akshaya Patra initiated the Happiness Kits Programme. According to this programme, mid-day meal beneficiaries received a Happiness Kit that will support their health, nutrition, hygiene and education amid the ongoing crisis. Each box contains food supplies like glucose biscuits, peanuts, jaggery, rice flour, spices, etc. along with hygiene products like a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and sanitary pack (for girls) and educational supplies like activity workbook, notebook and stationeries. As of 4^th November 2020, 2.5 lakh Happiness Kits were distributed to school children.

You too can support mid-day meal beneficiaries even when the schools are preparing to reopen. Children do not have to be nutrition deficit. Your help to provide Happiness Kits ensures their health even amid the crisis hour. Extend your support to Akshaya Patra to eliminate hunger in people of the marginalised communities.