International agencies: WHO, FAO and UNICEF
WHO sets health and nutrition standards, FAO works for food production and security, and UNICEF protects child and maternal nutrition; together they support India's programmes.
The three agencies at a glance
| Agency | Founded; headquarters | Main nutrition role |
|---|---|---|
| WHO (World Health Organization) | 1948; Geneva | Health standards and guidelines: growth standards, haemoglobin cut-offs, IYCF and SAM guidelines; technical help to governments |
| FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) | 1945; Rome | Food production, food security, food statistics and balance sheets, food standards with WHO |
| UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) | 1946; New York | Child survival, growth and nutrition; support for ICDS, immunisation, IYCF, salt iodisation, vitamin A, water and sanitation |
WHO in nutrition
- Sets global standards: the WHO Child Growth Standards (2006), haemoglobin cut-offs, guidelines on SAM, IYCF and micronutrients.
- Adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (World Health Assembly, 1981); India's IMS Act 1992 gives it legal force.
- With UNICEF: the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (1991) and IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness).
- With FAO: the Codex Alimentarius Commission (1963) for international food standards, and expert committees on nutrient needs and food additives.
- Global nutrition targets for 2025 (World Health Assembly, 2012) on stunting, anaemia, low birth weight, overweight, breastfeeding and wasting.
- Technical support to India for iodine, vitamin A and anaemia programmes, surveillance, and NCD prevention (salt and trans fat).
FAO in nutrition
- Works to raise food production in agriculture, fisheries and forestry, especially for small farmers.
- Monitors food security: food balance sheets and FAOSTAT data, and the yearly report on the state of food security and nutrition in the world with partner agencies.
- Codex food standards with WHO; advice on food safety and quality.
- Launched the Freedom from Hunger Campaign (1960); World Food Day (16 October) marks its founding.
- Technical help on post-harvest storage, food processing, nutrition education and home gardens.
- Led the International Year of Millets 2023, declared by the UN on India's proposal.
UNICEF in nutrition
- Founded in 1946 as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund; renamed the United Nations Children's Fund in 1953, keeping the short name; Nobel Peace Prize 1965.
- GOBI-FFF child survival strategy: Growth monitoring, Oral rehydration, Breastfeeding, Immunisation; Female education, Family spacing, Food supplementation.
- The UNICEF conceptual framework (1990) of the causes of malnutrition: immediate, underlying and basic.
- In India: support for ICDS, the MCP card and growth monitoring, IYCF counselling, community management of SAM and NRCs, the immunisation cold chain, salt iodisation, vitamin A supplementation, water and sanitation.
- Supplies and emergency nutrition during disasters; advocacy for child rights.
Other agencies in brief
The World Food Programme (WFP), Rome, gives food assistance and in India supports school feeding and rice fortification work. The World Bank has funded nutrition projects such as the expansion of ICDS. CARE supplied food for ICDS supplementary feeding in its early years. UNDP, UNFPA and many NGOs work on poverty, women's health and family welfare, which shape nutrition too.
Much of what an anganwadi worker uses daily (the WHO growth chart on the MCP card, UNICEF-supported IYCF counselling material, and food standards in line with Codex) comes from these agencies' work with the Indian government.
2 marks: “Expand GOBI-FFF.” Growth monitoring, Oral rehydration, Breastfeeding, Immunisation; Female education, Family spacing, Food supplementation (UNICEF's child survival strategy).
5 marks: “Write a note on the role of UNICEF in combating malnutrition.” Founding and headquarters; GOBI-FFF; conceptual framework; support to ICDS, IYCF, SAM, iodine, vitamin A, water and sanitation in India; emergencies.
10 marks: “Discuss the role of WHO, FAO and UNICEF in combating malnutrition.” Summary table; WHO standards and codes; FAO food production, food security data and Codex; UNICEF child survival and support to Indian programmes; joint work; close on partnership with government.
WHO = health standards (Geneva, 1948); FAO = food (Rome, 1945); UNICEF = children (New York, 1946). Joint: Codex (FAO + WHO), BFHI (WHO + UNICEF).