NGO joins UN body to fight malnutrition with spirulina

NEW DELHI - Delhi-based NGO, Sainik Welfare Organisation which provides low cost housing to soldiers, has joined hands with a UN body to spread awareness about including the micro algae spirulina in food in order to eradicate malnutrition and achieve the UN’s Millenium Goals.

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition has joined hands with Sainik Welfare.

SWO was selected for the project on the basis of its growing reach.

The SWO will help to explore and develop synergies in order to mainstream the use of Spirulina to counter malnutrition in India through its national network. It will play a pivotal role to spread awareness and initiate programmes that utilise Spirulina to eradicate malnutrition, SWO’s chairman Lt. Col. Rakesh Rana said Friday.

IIMSAM is the permanent observer to the UN’e Economic and Social Council.

IIMSAM’s Special Envoy to South Asia met Rana to explore the opportunities to create awareness about Spirulina in the country.

In a statement, IIMSAM’s Director General Remigio Maradona said: I am confident that SWO shall be an important stakeholder of IIMSAM to eradicate malnutrition and secure UN’s Millenium Goals through Spirulina in India.

According to the report of international NGO Action Aid, with 47 percent of its children under the age of six malnourished, India ranks below countries like Bangladesh and Nepal on the state of hunger.

According to the report, India stood at the 22nd spot in a list of 51 countries, like Australia, Britain, the US, Nepal and Bangladesh.