WELCOME | INNOVATION | HIGHLIGHTS 2007 | HIGHLIGHTS 2006 | 01 FIGHTING
MALNUTRITION | MEASURING OUR PERFORMANCE | 02 BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS |
NEW PARTNERS AND INNOVATIONS | 03 ENABLING INNOVATION | 04 IMPROVE NUTRITION
| FORTIFICATION PROGRAMS | 05 FINANCIAL STATEMENT | INCOME STATEMENT AS
AT 06.30.07 | BALANCE SHEET AS AT 06.30.07 | GAIN BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
GAIN MANAGEMENT
GAIN enables partnerships to innovate through grants and know-how.
Innovation is one of our defining characteristics. We work with others to develop and test new approaches and new business models that make markets work for vulnerable groups. In doing this, we create benefits for those who are malnourished as well as for our partners from the public and private sectors.
Our financial and technical support then enables partnerships to apply these innovations at a large scale, ensuring that impacts and return on investments are accurately measured. Last year, the following specific initiatives demonstrated our drive for innovation :
Supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS
In India, we are looking at the relationship between nutrition and HIV/AIDS together with the World Food Programme and the Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society. While we already know that people respond better to treatment when they are well-nourished, we are trying to discover the best way to integrate nutrition as part of care, support and treatment. The provision of nutrient-dense meals in Tamil Nadu to 13,000 patients is the most visible part. The program in Tamil Nadu is currently being extended to cover 25,000 people.
Making infants stronger and healthier
Much work over the year went into the preparation of a major new initiative to improve the nutrition of infants and young children, because the first two years of life are vital to everyone’s future. The lack of affordable fortified complementary foods and food supplements, for use after infants reach six months of age, remains a major reason why children fall ill and suffer later in life. The initiative aims: to support sound practices, such as exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding up to and beyond two years; to encourage companies and partnerships to develop and market high-quality foods for low-income families at a large scale; and to create a sound environment for good feeding practices.
Sprinkling against deficiencies
The Indian state of Rajasthan, with support from GAIN, started pioneering the fortification of home-cooked dishes on a large scale in January 2007. Today, some 120,000 children between six and 36 months of age from the most disadvantaged groups are receiving a small sachet of vitamin and mineral powder on top of their homemade meals. In neighboring Bangladesh, we enabled the Social Marketing Company to raise demand for the product. Both projects aim to demonstrate the health impacts of fortification and catalyze the wider distribution of Sprinkles.
Removing obstacles to fortification
Another new endeavor, launched at a meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in September 2007, is the GAIN Premix Fund. The Fund aims to enable programs that currently have difficulty purchasing and sourcing quality supplies to easily access fortificants. The Fund provides loans and grants, brings producers and users together, and offers technical assistance. With DSM Nutritional Products, Cargill, Akzo Nobel and Procter and Gamble having pledged their support, this revolving fund will remove a major obstacle to fortification.
Reducing vitamin and mineral deficiencies by 2015
A good strategy is the first building block in attaining the vision of the entire nutrition sector working together to drastically reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies by 2015. This past year, a reference group and eight working groups, made up of high level participants from the micronutrient sector, identified priority areas for action and mechanisms for coordination. The result of their work will be presented for final validation in 2008 and the
strategy subsequently implemented.
Developing viable business models which can impact malnutrition on
a large scale and contribute to reducing poverty is a new approach for
both the private and non-profit sectors. It is a difficult challenge and an
immense opportunity to match competencies and co-create innovative
solutions. The close cooperation between Danone and GAIN in Bangladesh
illustrates how joining forces can be efficient.
Bernard Giraud - Vice-President
Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility Group
DANONE
