“We are all part of the solution to the challenges we face. Only by working together can we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” These powerful words from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) capture the essence of our mission at Action Against Hunger.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a roadmap set by the United Nations to guide nations toward a better, more sustainable world. In India, we are proud to play a key role in advancing four crucial SDGs: No Poverty (Goal 1), Zero Hunger (Goal 2), Good Health and Well-Being (Goal 3), Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 6) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). These interconnected goals focus on addressing fundamental human needs such as lifting people out of poverty, ensuring food security, promoting better health, and providing access to clean water. Through collaboration and collective action, we are working towards a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
SDG 1: No Poverty – Lifting People Out of Poverty
Poverty is a complex issue that requires multifaceted solutions. At Action Against Hunger, we believe in tackling poverty not just through immediate relief, but with long-term strategies that empower communities and provide sustainable solutions. We focus on skill development, financial literacy, and promoting improved agricultural practices, all aimed at helping individuals break the poverty cycle and build sustainable livelihoods.
In Dharni Block, Maharashtra, Bansi Sawalkar’s success with pisciculture transformed her livelihood and inspired her community. Since 2017, Action Against Hunger has supported 39 villages, and in 2023, launched a Fish Farming Project with Jaljeevika to enhance food security and livelihoods and lift people out of poverty.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Ensuring Food Security for All
Achieving Zero Hunger is a goal that aligns with the very essence of our mission at Action Against Hunger. We focus on preventing and treating malnutrition through nutritional support, awareness campaigns, and widespread screenings. Our work goes beyond immediate relief, as we aim to provide long-term solutions by educating families about good nutrition, including the importance of breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and sustainable agricultural practices like home gardening.
11-month-old Anshula Shaikh (name changed) from Govandi, Maharashtra, was found to have moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). She was only breastfed, lacking complementary food. Action Against Hunger’s team educated her mother on nutrition and provided Take Home Ration (THR). With support, Anshula’s health improved over time.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – Promoting Health for All
Good health is the foundation of a prosperous society. At Action Against Hunger, we are committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and families in underserved areas. Our efforts focus on maternal health, childhood diseases, and ensuring access to essential healthcare services, such as immunizations and antenatal/postnatal care. Through home visits, training healthcare workers, and raising awareness, we help reduce maternal and child mortality while fostering healthier communities.
In Sathe Nagar, Sharda Kamble (name changed) was diagnosed with moderate malnutrition. With counselling and a shift to healthier meals, her weight rose from 12.8 kg to 14 kg in three months. Her story highlights the power of community support in fighting malnutrition.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Ensuring Access to Safe Water and Sanitation
Access to clean water and proper sanitation is essential for good health and well-being. Through our work, we aim to improve hygiene practices and ensure that communities have access to safe water and sanitation facilities. We work on infrastructure development, conduct hygiene education campaigns, and implement initiatives like handwashing stations and community latrines to help prevent waterborne diseases and improve overall public health
Through the Tippy Taps initiative, schools in Dharni are now equipped with handwashing stations, promoting better hygiene. Installed in schools across Dhodra, Nardu, Jhajaridhana, Khidki, and Rohinkhed, the initiative teaches life-saving handwashing techniques, creating a cleaner, safer environment for students and teachers.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Fostering Collaboration for Impact
The Sustainable Development Goals are achievable only through the power of collective partnerships. SDG 17 underscores the vital need for global collaboration to tackle complex challenges and deliver sustainable solutions.
At Action Against Hunger, we prioritize building partnerships that advance macroeconomic stability, mobilize financial resources for developing countries, and promote equitable trade systems. In collaboration with the Government of India, we work to combat hunger and malnutrition, mobilize essential resources, and advocate for equitable systems. Our initiatives also focus on empowering communities and fostering grassroots change, paving the way for inclusive progress and long-term, sustainable impact.
Achieving Sustainable Change TogetherAchieving Sustainable Change Together
At Action Against Hunger, our work isn’t just about meeting immediate needs; it’s about creating lasting, transformative change. By addressing the root causes of poverty, hunger, poor health, and lack of sanitation, we’re not just improving lives, in fact we’re shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through our focus on nutrition, healthcare, and hygiene, we are building stronger communities and paving the way for a healthier, more equitable world. Together, we can break the cycle of hunger and poverty, empower individuals, and ensure that no one is left behind. The journey towards a sustainable, thriving future begins with each of us. Let’s make it happen.
