Suaahara Final Dissemination Documents

Suaahara was a five year (2011-2016) project funded by USAID aimed to improve the nutritional status of women and children in 41 districts of Nepal. The project focused on improving health and nutrition behaviors at the household level through promotion of Essential Nutrition and Hygiene Actions (EN/HA), particularly Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), and addressing other determinants of under-nutrition, such as availability of and access to food, hygiene, quality of health care, child spacing and socio-cultural factors including gender and marginalization.

The program envisioned:

• Household health and nutrition behaviors are improved
• Increased use of quality health and nutrition services by women and children
• Women and their families increase their consumption of diverse and nutritious foods
• Coordination on nutrition between government and other actors is strengthened

Key Suaahara Achievements (2011-2016)

• Prevalence of children 6-23 months receiving a minimum acceptable diet increased from 47% (2013) to 59% (2015)
• Breastfeeding within one hour of birth increased from 59% (2013) to 73% (2015)
• 121 village development committees declared Open Defecation Free
• Health facility delivery has increased in Suaahara districts (68%) compared to non-Suaahara (48%) districts
• Knowledge about Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene related behaviors was consistently higher in Suaahara districts (>97%) than in non-Suaahara districts (90%)

Source: Save the Children, Helen Keller International, Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs, JHPIEGO, Nutrition Promotion and Consultancy Service, Nepal Water for Health

Date of Publication: March 25, 2019