About the Project
The Ehsaas Nashwonuma is a health and nutrition conditional cash transfer programme which aims to address stunting in children under 23 months of age.
Pakistan’s high rates of 40.2% stunting, 28.9% underweight, and 17.7% wasting are indicative of an on-going crisis among children. Stunting negatively impacts brain function, organ development, and immune system, ultimately limiting future productivity.
Former Prime Minister, Imran Khan launched this programme on 13 August 2020 as a pilot project in 9 districts of the country in the first phase which include Khyber, Upper Dir, Bagh, Ghizer, Hunza, Kharmang, Kharan, Badin, and Rajanpur selected on the basis of high stunting rate and in consultation with the provincial health departments. Under the programme, 33 Ehsaas Nashwonuma Marakiz/Centers will be established at Tehsil level health facilities to provide all the services under one roof under the programme. Ehsaas Nashwonuma is fully funded by the government of Pakistan. World Food Programme has been hired as an implementing partner to carry out all the activities of the programme.
Funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ehsaas Nashwonuma is a three-year programme that aims to mitigate stunting in children under 23 months of age by providing:
- specialized nutrition food to pregnant women, lactating women, and children under 23 months
- quarterly conditional cash transfer to increase the uptake of health and nutrition services
- immunizations to mother and children
- quarterly antenatal/ postnatal care
- awareness on breastfeeding, sanitation and hygiene, diverse diet, etc.
