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Source– The post is based on the article “Why tracking migration is important for nutrition schemes?” published in The Indian Express on 2nd December 2022.
Syllabus: GS2- Poverty and hunger
Relevance– Issues related to malnutrition
News– The article explains the challenges faced by the government in reducing malnutrition due to high migration in some areas.
During a study, it was found that the number of children with acute malnutrition peaked in April. A UNICEF study in Nandurbar district in Maharashtra found the same thing. Both these districts have a high population of people who migrate in search of jobs.
What are the challenges created by migration for tackling malnutrition?
Multiple government schemes work on the assumption that people are going to stay in villages. This assumption does not work in high migration areas.
In nutrition surveys, the lack of migration data inflates the number of children being measured because new births keep adding to it. It leads to data that does not reflect the actual situation.
The pregnant women and children are not reflected in data used by administration for government interventions in areas where people are migrated.
The migrated children are also not properly vaccinated.
What is the way forward?
The government needs to understand the interplay between nutrition, livelihood and poverty for long-term interventions to reduce malnutrition.
A plan is needed that focuses on targeting the most vulnerable.
