Suaahara-II Programme

Summary of the project: Suaahara II is an integrated program dedicated to improving the health and nutrition status of women and children who fall within the 1,000 days period, from conception until a child reaches 24 months of age. This period is recognized as the crucial timeframe during which nutritional interventions have optimal impact on child growth and development.  The Suaahara II program, funded by USAID/Nepal, is implemented by Helen Keller International with six consortium partners (CARE Nepal, ENPHO, FHI360, NTAG and VDRC) is currently operating in 42 districts across all province of Nepal and has been providing technical support to the government of Nepal at all levels in expanding health and nutrition services to target population. In particular, the project addresses anemia, reproductive health, food diversity, golden 1000 days, health service utilization, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion and Social and Behavior Change Communication. Alongside, In Banke, Suaahara II program has been implementing by Bheri Environmental Excellence Group since 2016 in coordination with HKI. 

Suaahara II program's activities are based on four intermediate results;   
• IR 1: Improved household nutrition and health behaviors   
• IR 2: Increased use of quality nutrition and health services by women and children   
• IR 3: Improved access to diverse and nutrient-rich foods by women and children   
• IR 4: Accelerated roll-out of the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP) through strengthened local governance

Goal; Improved and sustained nutritional status among women and childrenObjectives   
• Promote key Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices through an intensive behavior change strategy, including interpersonal communication activities, radio programs, and the use of mobile technology at the community level.   
• Expand coverage of the community-based integrated management of newborn and childhood illness program and strengthen growth monitoring and promotion at outreach clinics and health facilities.   
• Enhance clean water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions of household facilities and establish private sector linkages to promote WASH technologies.   
• Improve consumption of nutritious food through increased production, improved post-harvest storage, and processing diverse nutritious food, especially for women farmers from disadvantaged groups.   
• Strengthen coordination on health and nutrition between government and other stakeholders through the Food Security and Nutrition Coordination Committee, Nepal Nutrition Group, Nutrition Technical Committee, Safe Motherhood sub- committee, Family Planning Sub -committee, and Reproductive Health Coordination Committee.   
• Strengthen the technical, managerial, operational capacity of health and non- health sector stakeholders at the district and ward levels to enhance MSNP implementation.

Objectives

• Promote key Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices through an intensive behavior change strategy, including interpersonal communication activities, radio programs, and the use of mobile technology at the community level.

• Expand coverage of the community-based integrated management of newborn and childhood illness program and strengthen growth monitoring and promotion at outreach clinics and health facilities.

• Enhance clean water, sanitation, and hygieneSuaahara II program's activities are based on four intermediate results;  conditions of household facilities and establish private sector linkages to promote WASH technologies.

• Improve consumption of nutritious food through increased production, improved post-harvest storage, and processing diverse nutritious food, especially for women farmers from disadvantaged groups.

• Strengthen coordination on health and nutrition between government and other stakeholders through the Food Security and Nutrition Coordination Committee, Nepal Nutrition Group, Nutrition Technical Committee, Safe Motherhood sub- committee, Family Planning Sub -committee, and Reproductive Health Coordination Committee.

• Strengthen the technical, managerial, operational capacity of health and non- health sector stakeholders at the district and ward levels to enhance MSNP implementation.
  

  Strategies and Approaches

  • Collaboration and strategic partnership

  • Ownership and Sustainability

  • Enabling environment

  • Strengthening capacity of health services to address nutrition

  • Public-private partnership

  • Gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) 

          Implementation Modalities