According to a study, the level of malnourishment is high among
children whose parents migrate in search of livelihood. Critically
examine why and suggest measures to address this problem.
Ans- With india striving hard to achieve its MDG targets and reduce malnutrition, the
attention needs to be focussed on specially vulnerable groups to correct the bigger
picture. Migrants are one of these and mostlty come from the low socio-economic strata.
Most of the migration for livelihood is either cyclical or distress migration,the later
being most common.
The increased malnutrition among children of migrants basically stems from the fact
that they have to compromise and adjust in harsh,unhygenic conditions and temporary
settlements. The causes include
1. Poor socio-economic conditions hence affordability of food hampered
2. Temporary settlements leading to unhygenic conditions
3. Child labour ex: brick klins
4. Lack of sanitation and open defecation
5. Inadequate access to health facilities and immunization
6. Inadequate and improper breast-feeding and weaning
7. No access to pds facilities due to mirgation leading to poor nutrition in mother and
children.
8. Content of diet does not suffice for diverse nutritional requirement of children
9. small land holdings leading to inadequate production
The main solution lies in preventing migration and hence multiple problems related to it
by proper implementationn of schemes like MGNREGA, PURA etc. The others include:
1. increasing access to anganwadis
2. making pds facilities available for migrants
3. provision of proper houses and sanitation facilities
4. considering migrants as ―vulnerable groups‖ and chalking out special programmes
5. identification of migrants and help from local PR institutions
6. regular health camps in identified areas
The complexity of the problems calls for a multi-pronged approach including the state,
NGOs and change in policy outlooks.
