Community-Level Nutrition Interventions in Sri Lanka: A Case Study

Abstract

This study describes 3 nutrition intervention programs in Sri Lanka; Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Samgamaya; Redd Barna the Norwegian Save the Children Program; and the US Save the Children fund. The Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya is a private nonprofit organization that began in 1958 devoted to mobilizing voluntary labor for village reconstruction. It is now engaged in a series of development projects in over 2000 villages. One of its main objectives is to mobilize community resources for development. The childrens service now integrates pre-school nutrition and community health services. There are an estimated 86 day care centers. The main service available in these day care centers apart from physical care is the provision of nutrition. Pre-school nutrition programs are also administered. The program costs about Rs230/beneficiary per year. The International Council of Educational Development from the United States was invited to review the program. Recommendations are given. The Norwegian Save the Children (Redd Barna) program in Sri Lanka was started in 1974. Projects are of 2 types: 1) settlement projects; and 2) integrated community development projects which aim to improve the standard of living with particular attention to child welfare. The US Save the Children Fund (SCF) a private nonprofit voluntary organization began its 1st project in Sri Lanka in urban community development in a slum and squatter settlement within Colombo. It focused on housing but also includes other programs such as health and nutrition. These activities are carried out through a pediatric clinic a home visits register a nutritional status survey a supplementary feeding program nutrition education and a day care center. The approximate cost of the nutrition program would be Rs7700/month for an average of Rs13/month or Rs156/year/beneficiary.