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CONTENTS workshop - basic concept - from analysis to action - donation of books - health and nutrition exhibition - Ines Reinhard says farewell
July / August 2001
Workshop: integration of food security in programmes of IFSP partners
What means integration? A five-day workshop to incorporate Food Security into the work programmes of partner institutions took place in the Pastoral Centre, Uppuveli from 13 to 17 June 2001. More than 20 Technical Officers of different governmental institutions and non-government organisations participated. The main objective was to provide an understanding of the principles of Nutrition and Food Security: What does Food Security mean? How to assess and measure Nutrition and Food Security and how are the different institutions addressing this?
Basic concept of integrated food security
During the workshop, lectures were combined with group work, using information from the IFSP Baseline Survey Health and Nutrition and from the Participatory Needs Assessment (PNA). One day was reserved for field work to apply a simple Nutrition and Food Security assessment, in two villages in Kuchchaveli Division (Artimutai, Veerancholai). Group discussions with the villagers took place and the GS was involved. Another group visited the Nilaveli Hospital. A third group interviewed two international NGOs (Save the Children and Oxfam) in Trincomalee Town. After this practical exercises, the participants reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of the assessment tools. They also reviewed the perception of the surveyed persons concerning Nutrition and Food Security. Their training contributed to a better understanding of the principles of Nutrition and Food Security. The challenge and final objective is now, how to integrate Food Security activities into the daily work of each department and partner organisation of IFSP.
It was concluded, that information about specific Nutrition and Food Security aspects are available in each department and other organisations. This would allow to improve Food and Nutrition Security for the people. DPS has an important role for coordination and management. Nutrition and Food Security related questions should be put on the top of the agenda of meetings. Commitments have to be monitored regularly. Furthermore, the nomination of a kind of ”Food Security Agent” from each department was discussed; this suggestion met with general approval. So far, there is definitively a need for a better incorporation of food and nutrition related information into the district development process. IFSP is promoting the District Food Security and Nutrition Plan.
From analysis to action top
From ”Analysis to Action” was the first step of a series of follow-up training with IFSP Partners. The participants and the Heads of Departments strongly recommended to continue this awareness and training. A possible topic for the next training sessions could be: ”To what extent are Nutrition and Food Security activities of the partner institutions contributing to improve the situation of the population in the district.”
How should we proceed? ”From action to change!” To achieve that ”all people have access at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life” (FAO-Definition of Food Security – Plan of Action, Rome 1996).
Donation of books top
Mrs Brigitte Stotz and Dr Dietrich Stotz, from the GTZ Food-for-Work Project Nepal who visited Trincomalee district and a number of IFSP projects donated Rs. 12,000 to the library of the village of Jaya Nagar. 86 science and exercise books and a book shelf were purchased by the Samurdhi Task Force Jaya Nagar.
Health and nutrition exhibition - Muthur top
EHED in cooperation with the Department of Education and IFSP organised a health and nutrition exhibition in Muthur. Students displayed posters and models of villages showing many aspects of how to improve nutrition and health. The exhibition was visited by many people who praised this initiative
Ines Reinhard says farewell top
Dr Ines Reinhard, nutritionist with IFSP-GTZ gave a remarkable farewell lecture on 22 June 2001 at the Kachcheri. Her subject was "voiceless past - hopeful future". HE the German Ambassador and GA Trincomalee were present. More than 100 persons attended this function. After two and a half years in Trincomalee Dr. Ines Reinhard returned to GTZ head office. She has done an excellent service during the first phase of IFSP. Dr Ines Reinhard will be remembered by all of us.
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