Marc Van Ameringen, Executive Director, GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) called on Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram in New Delhi today. The discussions focused on malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among the most disadvantaged and excluded groups in India with a special focus on tribals and dalits. The Minister expressed his willingness to visit GAIN programs in the field and gain first hand knowledge about various approaches. Shri Oram said “I am quite serious about malnutrition of the excluded population specifically tribals and dalits. It needs an integrated approach and in partnership with other relevant Ministries, we can work together in a mission mode.’’
Mr. Ameringen shared GAIN’s innovative models of building alliances between governments, businesses, civil society and community groups and how it has proven successful in finding and delivering solutions to the complex problem of malnutrition. He said GAIN and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs can together provide many models and solutions in the fight against malnutrition. He said “I am happy to see that the Government of India is taking many pragmatic and proactive steps to tackle malnutrition. These will yield positive outcomes for present and future generation.” Both sides discussed many other related issues at length. It was agreed upon that coordinated actions can bring positive changes in the nutrition status of excluded population. GAIN is an international organization which was launched at the UN in the year 2002 to tackle the human sufferings caused by malnutrition.