Supporting vulnerable families to make the right choices on the nutrition and well-being

In the face of the consequences of Sri Lanka's economic upheaval, Ms Inoka Shyamalee (27) has emerged as a pillar of strength for families struggling to manage their meagre incomes and provide for their children. Working amongst the communities in the Sabaragamuwa Province as a supervisor for UNICEF’s Cash Plus Programme, Inoka’s dedication and guidance have helped several families prioritise the well-being of young children despite the financial hardships they face.

The 2022 economic crisis in Sri Lanka triggered sky-high inflation and country-wide food and fuel shortages, depriving families of access to food, healthcare, and transport. "The situation was heartbreaking," Inoka remembers. "Many families, especially those relying on daily wages, struggled to afford necessities. This directly impacted the nutrition and the development of young children. It was a crisis within a crisis."

“The Cash Plus Programme, with its various community and household level activities, has been instrumental in helping families overcome financial challenges and enabling them to manage household budgets, meal plans and hygiene, and ensure nourishing food for their children,“ explains Inoka.

The Cash Plus Programme is a comprehensive initiative that supplements the financial support provided to mothers and caregivers through UNICEF’s short-term Nutrition-sensitive Cash Transfer Programme. Launched in 2023 to address the immediate difficulties families faced in accessing nutritious food, the programme provided families with children born between 1 May 2021 and 31 December 2022 (children aged five months to two years), in the nine most vulnerable districts, with four monthly disbursements of Rs. 6,750 (USD 20.86) per eligible child.  The ‘Plus’ component of the Cash Transfer is designed to maximise the results of the financial assistance. It does so by educating families about the importance of nutrition for young children and equipping them with the skills to make the most of the available resources for their health and well-being. 

Under the Cash Plus Programme, mothers and caregivers are provided with guidance on various aspects of child nutrition. They learn about complementary feeding practices, using locally available ingredients, maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene, and utilizing nutrition calendars and menu planning to develop healthier diet practices. Additionally, they are taught household cash management to increase spending on nutritious food, all of which significantly enhance the diets of young children.   

“As part of the programme, I received training on household budgeting and incorporating nutritious food into meal plans. We learned practical and creative ways to reduce unnecessary spending and prioritize healthy living, such as using locally available fresh vegetables, leaves, and fruit. This is the knowledge I carry to the community. To teach these families to manage their money so that they can spend more on nutritious food for the little ones,” she explains. 

Inoka's efforts transcended the training when she became a familiar face in the communities she served. Visiting families like that of Ms Jeewani Rupasinghe (36), she made an effort to get to know each family and support them.

Jeewani, whose daughter Onali is one-and-a-half years old, was a recipient of the Cash Transfer program. “The money we received was a lifesaver.” Jeewani explains her situation: “My husband is a daily wage earner. I find it difficult to manage household expenses with the little he earns. Getting the necessary food for Onali was a constant battle.”

“With the money we received, we were able to prioritise her needs. Most importantly, with Inoka’s support, we managed the money wisely. She sat with us, made an effort to understand our situation, and showed us how to make the most of the money for Onali’s nutritional needs,” she affirms.

"Inoka truly cares," Jeewani adds, her voice filled with gratitude. "She doesn't just tell us what to do; she shows us how. Now, I feel empowered to manage our finances better and ensure Onali gets the healthy food she needs to grow strong."

For Inoka, challenges were inevitable. Reaching remote villages, navigating language barriers, and dealing with families facing complex situations tested Inoka's patience and resourcefulness. Yet, the positive impact on families like Jeewani's fuelled her spirit. Having recognised the need to tailor strategies to suit each household’s persona, she spent time with the families, understanding circumstances and requirements and providing them with the necessary support in household budgeting and meal planning, ensuring the families gain maximum benefit from the programme.   Inoka and other Community Based Organizations (CBO) members working on the Cash Plus Programme became the bridge between this vital programme and vulnerable communities across the country. 

"There's no greater satisfaction than seeing young children thrive because their families have the knowledge and resources to nourish them properly," Inoka says, a genuine smile lighting up her face. “It wasn't just about handing out money; it was about equipping families with the skills and tools to manage it effectively for their children's well-being."

Since the commencement of the Cash Plus Programme in 2023, dedicated individuals like Inoka have reached over 114,000 families in nine districts with knowledge and skill, increasing their opportunities to better manage their meagre finances, access nutritious food and improve the diets of young children. The programme was implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Sri Lanka Government and Sarvodaya with funding from the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).