Partnership for nutrition solutions stressed

Islamabad:A two-day networking event under the theme ‘Strengthening Partnerships for Nutrition Solutions’ was organised in Islamabad with the support of the European Union.

The networking event brought together experts and key stakeholders and practitioners from government departments, and International, and local Civil Society Organisations, donors and networks to deliberate upon challenges, share experiences and explore innovations, in combating malnutrition in Pakistan. The event was led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in collaboration with Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) and Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF).

Organised in the frame of the Project ‘Strengthening Local Civil Society and Community-based Organisations and their Capacity in the Nutrition Sector in Sindh’ funded by the European Union (EU) with the aim of fostering collaboration and learning, the event provided a platform for 15 CSOs for networking opportunities to build partnerships with government entities, donors and international organizations.

Speaking at the event, Ms Barbara Riksen, Head of Section for Rural Development and Economic Cooperation at the EU delegation to Pakistan, noted that “In Pakistan, nearly 10 million children, suffer from stunting. These statistics are not just numbers as they represent millions of lives impacted by inadequate nutrition”. She further noted that the European Union has been actively engaged in the nutrition sector in Sindh for over a decade. In this context, CSOs are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap by bringing essential services closer to the communities. By strengthening these partnerships, we can ensure that community voices are heard, and their nutritional needs are addressed.

Lubna Javid, Deputy Director Programs at IRC, reflected on the need for community-driven solutions and said, “Malnutrition is a complex issue that requires not only technical interventions but also the engagement of local communities.”

Hisham Mazhar, project director, Accelerated Action Plan (AAP) Task Force, highlighted the initiative’s achievements and Sindh government’s support, noting that “The EU-funded CSO strengthening initiative aligns with AAP multi-sectoral plan for improved nutrition. Local CSOs are vital in our collective fight against malnutrition.” Mubarak Ali Sarwar, representative of SUNCSA, presented an institutional overview of the alliance initiatives and noted that while significant progress has been made, however concentrated efforts are needed to address the gaps pertaining to nutrition policy implementation.