On April 14th 2009, the Andhra Pradesh Women Development and Child Welfare Department extended the Integrated Child Development Services to the Internally Displaced tribals in the Bhadrachalam and Palvoncha division in order to combat the rising malnutrition and occurence of poor health in the regions.  In Khammam and Warangal districts, AID supports Agricultural and Social Development Society (ASDS) which has worked on surveying the families, providing humanitarian relief, and helping people apply for ICDS services.  We congratulate them on this positive step and support their struggle to secure services for all.

Internally Displaced Persons Solidarity Committee has been working to provide rehabilitation services for tribals living in Andhra Pradesh. The Committee brought the high levels of malnutrition and other poor health conditions to the Women Development and Child Welfare Department’s attention. On April 14th, the Department extended the Integrated Child Development Services to the tribals in the Bhadrachalam and Palvoncha divisions. Even with this extension, beneficiaries-- adolescent children, pregnant women, and lactating mother-- in both divisions remain in need of health support. In Bhadrachalam, out of 83 settlements, 14 lack any type of ICDS help. Out of 1172 beneficiaries in all of Bhadrachalam, 236 (20%) have no access, and 218 (18%) have very rare access to ICDS help. 716 beneficiaries have full access, however. In Palvoncha, out of 41 settlements, 35 do not receive any ICDS aid. Out of 963 beneficiaries in all of Palvoncha, 852 (88.5%) have no access, and 66 (6%) have very rare access to ICDS help. Only 45 beneficiares have full access. Despite the statistically poor showing of ICDS coverage, there has been visible improvement in the spread of health provisions. Just in the month of April, when the ICDS had been mandated, 23 settlements began to receive aid in Bhadrachalam. The expansion of ICDS is progressing and if it this trend continues, will soon help meet the nutrition needs of most tribals. 

K. Venkateshwarlu wrote about the people's plight in The Hindu: "Malnutrition Stalks the Gutti Koyas " (Jun 27, 2009)