Malabar Group Partners with WHO India to Improve Nutrition in Urban Communities

Malabar Group on Monday announced the launch of a new CSR initiative, Nurturing Beginnings, in collaboration with the WHO India to improve the nutrition and overall well-being of mothers and children from disadvantaged urban communities, while supporting the mental and intellectual development of children.

M.P. Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar Group, said, “Nurturing Beginnings is a very important project for us, as it extends the impact of our ‘Hunger Free World’ initiative. Only when children receive proper nutrition from conception through their early years can they grow to their full potential, both mentally and physically. Sadly, many in our society are deprived of this. By collaborating with WHO India, Malabar Group is acknowledging its responsibility in shaping a healthier society. We are deeply grateful to WHO for its support and cooperation.”

The company said that the project builds on the Group’s flagship Hunger Free World program. Global studies highlight that the first 1,000 days from conception until the child’s early growth years are critical for physical, mental, and intellectual development. To address this, the project will provide free nutritious food to mothers and children, along with medical services that support both physical and mental health. Initially, it will be rolled out in urban communities in Delhi, with plans to expand across other states.

Dr. Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, said, “Nutrition and care are the fundamental rights of mothers and children, and the responsibility of society. Malabar Group has been implementing several impactful CSR initiatives, and we are confident that the NURTURING BEGINNINGS project will also be a great success.”

Dr. P. Muhammad Asheel, National Professional Officer of WHO, added, “The Nurturing Beginnings project has the potential to significantly improve the development of children in socially and economically backward communities. WHO India will extend all possible cooperation and support to Malabar Group to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative.”

Since its inception in 1993, Malabar Group has consistently allocated 5 per cent of its profits towards CSR initiatives. Through its Hunger Free World project, the Group currently provides free nutritious meals to 60,000 people daily in India and 10,000 students in three schools in Zambia. Additionally, more than 700 micro-learning centres have been established across India to support street children and school dropouts with food and education, helping them return to formal schooling. In addition, nearly 30,000 children were brought back to school.
The Group also runs ‘Grandma Home’ to support destitute mothers. Since launching its scholarship program in 2007, Malabar Group has awarded over 1,15,000 scholarships to girl students. Additionally, Malabar Charitable Trust is set to distribute 33,000 scholarships this year alone to promote the education of underprivileged girls. The Group’s CSR initiatives span health, housing, education, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability.