Senior level representatives of Ministries, Institute of Public Health Nutrition, Planning Commission, and Cabinet Division of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh had attended the study tour.

Mr. Zakir Hossain Akand, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), Mr. Md. Abdul Karim, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), Mr. Khan Mohammad Norul Amin, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Dr. Md. Maniruzzaman, Deputy Program Manager, National Nutrition Services, Institute of Public Health Nutrition, Mr. Mohammad Kaikobad Khandaker, Deputy Secretary, National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reforms/ Reorganisation (NICAR Branch, Cabinet Division, Mr. Forhad Siddique, Deputy Chief, General Economic Division, Planning Commission, Mr. Ahmed Hossain Khan, Sr. Advisor Govt. Relations, Nobo Jatra Project, World Vision Bangladesh.

Nobo Jatra facilitated this thematic study tour to observe impact of Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) under the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) component. The team of senior representatives of Government had visited program areas in Dacope and Shyamnagar Upazila in the South West Bangladesh during 8-9 December 2018.

The delegates had firsthand experience about ‘Cooking and Feeding Demonstration’ during courtyard session. MAMA message using mobile phone and wearable bangles (COEL) were particularly appreciated. The team has appreciated three stage validation process for beneficiary selection, climate smart agriculture practices, courtyard nutrition sessions with cooking-feeding demonstration, efforts to reduce Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children through counselling, and strong relationship between Government and Nobo Jatra to identify eligible mothers for Conditional Cash Transfers. The team mentioned the importance of collaboration and coordination with officials of local government institutions at Union and Upazila level.

The team has expressed interest to help Nobo Jatra achieving its goal and appreciated the efforts of project-staff in four Upazilas. The delegates are willing to visit soon again to observe interventions with regard to other thematic areas of the project.