COVID-19 pandemic blues: Adverse impact found on consumption of healthy foods

* 20 NGOs submit a memorandum to State Finance Minister

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown have made an adverse impact on the consumption of protein-rich and nutritional foods among various households in Assam.

Many households have reduced the consumption of all food items, including rice, protein-rich foods, vegetables and non-vegetarian items from their meals.

This development was observed during a comprehensive study conducted by Assam State Alliance on Health, Nutrition and Livelihood, a coalition of 20 NGOs. The survey was undertaken to understand the impact of the Covid-19 and the lockdown on livelihood and nutrition security amongst 1,697 households of the community from 416 villages across 93 blocks in 24 districts of Assam.

The study has found that the effect of the pandemic has been adverse on the vulnerable groups and workers from the unorganized sector - daily wage earners, migrant workers, small traders, farmers, domestic workers, persons with disabilities and transgender persons, among others. The socially vulnerable groups living in geographically challenging areas of Assam such as flood plains, sar areas, urban slums as well as traditionally deprived and exploited tea tribes have been adversely affected.

According to the study, more than 80% of households had to reduce consumption of all food items, including rice, protein-rich foods, vegetables and non-vegetarian items from their meals. Though 5 kg rice grain was made available free of cost under the PMGKY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana), the quantity of rice was insufficient.

The study also revealed that there has been a gradual decrease in the practice of homestead gardens among the families in rural areas through these could be an excellent source of vegetable sand supply of fruits.

Under-nutrition has a long-term health impact on all age groups. According to the 36% of the respondents, under-nutrition has largely affected children below 12 years, while 28% of respondents stated it affected everyone.

The respondents of the study stated that due to the inadequate food available during the lockdown, they had to face a range of health issues such as fluctuation in blood pressure, stroke, fatigue, low immunity making them susceptible to other diseases, decay of tooth, malnutrition among children and poor mental/emotional health-caused fear, anxiety and depression, to name a few.

The study has found that the household income of more than 95% of respondents affected during the lockdown in 2020. It ranged from being affected by 25% to losing all income generation sources. Households engaged in farming had been largely affected due to poor or no surplus of food grains (52%), due to procuring challenges agricultural inputs such as seeds, saplings, insecticides, fertilizers, etc. (61%). Due to lockdown, about 50% of households who are also engaged in animal husbandry found difficulties in selling livestock.

The Assam State Alliance on Health, Nutrition and Livelihood has submitted a memorandum to the Finance Minister Ajanta Neog to include various proposals in the State Budget for the year 2021-22. The proposals or recommendations have been given based on the findings of the study.

The NGOs have recommended that targeted PDS (Public Distribution System) must look into addressing the nutritional needs of the vulnerable households mentioned in the study. To compensate for the nutritional requirements, items such as lentils, pulses, iodized salt, wheat, oils must be included along with the additional quantity of rice be made available under PDS.

The government must encourage the revival of homestead gardens. Adequate budgetary provisions may be made to initiate and address the nutritional requirements of the affected families.

The NGOs have demanded an extension of the period of financial assistance to be provided to the families through different schemes already initiated by the government to compensate the losses incurred by these households which will help them revive economically. Specific pension schemes or one-time grant-in-aid for people engaged in the informal sector should be initiated to support their social security. The government must implement cash compensation or payment to households whose sole breadwinner has died of COVID-19.

Also Read: Assam registers 1,579 new COVID-19 cases, positivity rate 1.62%

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