Deadline: 02-Jan-2026
UNICEF has launched a Call for Expression of Interest to expand access to life-saving nutrition services for children and mothers in cyclone-affected districts of Sri Lanka.
The initiative focuses on treating severe acute malnutrition, strengthening infant and young child feeding practices, and delivering community-based nutrition services across highly vulnerable provinces.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has issued a Call for Expression of Interest to improve access to essential nutrition services for children and mothers impacted by recent cyclones in Sri Lanka.
This initiative aims to address urgent food security and nutrition gaps in disaster-affected communities while strengthening resilience, continuity of care, and recovery for vulnerable populations.
Program Overview
The call targets cyclone-affected districts across multiple provinces where shocks have disrupted food systems, health services, and household livelihoods.
UNICEF seeks qualified partners to implement emergency nutrition interventions that save lives, prevent further deterioration of nutritional status, and promote long-term recovery for children and mothers.
Geographic Focus Areas
The initiative covers cyclone-affected districts in the following provinces of Sri Lanka:
- Eastern Province
- Central Province
- Uva Province
- Sabaragamuwa Province
- North Western Province
These areas include communities facing high food insecurity, displacement, and limited access to routine health and nutrition services.
Key Nutrition and Food Security Priorities
The call prioritizes integrated nutrition interventions that respond to both treatment and prevention needs in emergency contexts.
Primary focus areas include:
- Management of severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months
- Strengthening infant and young child feeding practices
- Nutrition support for pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Emergency food security and dietary support in transitional settings
All interventions are expected to align with national nutrition protocols and UNICEF emergency nutrition standards.
Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition
A core objective of the initiative is to improve identification, admission, and treatment of severely acutely malnourished children.
Selected partners are expected to:
- Support admission of children aged 6–59 months into appropriate treatment programmes
- Ensure continuity of care across consecutive months
- Reduce default rates through follow-up and outreach
- Contribute to improved recovery, survival, and nutrition outcomes
This approach strengthens both service access and treatment effectiveness.
Community Outreach and Service Delivery
Strong community-based outreach is central to the programme’s design.
Key outreach components include:
- Regular home visits to children admitted for treatment
- Monthly outreach nutrition clinics in each targeted district
- Close coordination with hospitals, local health facilities, and health authorities
- Service delivery in hard-to-reach and cyclone-affected communities
These efforts aim to bring services closer to families and ensure uninterrupted care.
Prevention and Behaviour Change Communication
In addition to treatment, the initiative emphasizes prevention through integrated social and behaviour change communication.
Target groups include:
- Caregivers of children under five
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women living in transitional shelters and safety centres
Interventions combine nutrition education with food or cash assistance to promote:
- Appropriate infant and young child feeding practices
- Improved dietary diversity
- Safe hygiene and food preparation behaviours
- Healthy nutrition practices during recovery periods
Nutrition Support for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
The programme also addresses the needs of the most nutritionally vulnerable groups.
Support includes:
- Targeted assistance for pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Nutrition support for children under two years of age
- Provision of meal enrichment ingredients over a three-month period
These measures aim to fill gaps in general rations and improve dietary quality for families living in safety centres.
Who Can Apply?
This Call for Expression of Interest is open to organizations with demonstrated capacity in emergency nutrition and food security programming.
Eligible applicants typically include:
- National and international non-governmental organizations
- Civil society organizations with nutrition expertise
- Organizations with experience in community-based nutrition interventions
- Partners able to work in coordination with government health systems
Applicants must demonstrate operational presence or capacity in the targeted provinces.
Why This Initiative Matters
Cyclones and climate-related shocks disproportionately affect children and mothers, increasing the risk of malnutrition, illness, and mortality.
This UNICEF initiative matters because it:
- Protects children from life-threatening malnutrition
- Strengthens emergency nutrition systems at community level
- Supports maternal nutrition during critical life stages
- Builds resilience in disaster-affected communities
- Promotes recovery through integrated health and nutrition services
How the Programme Works
The intervention follows a coordinated, multi-layered implementation approach.
Key elements include:
- Identification and outreach to vulnerable children and mothers
- Admission of malnourished children into treatment programmes
- Regular follow-up through home visits and outreach clinics
- Delivery of nutrition education and behaviour change communication
- Provision of targeted food or meal enrichment support
- Coordination with local health authorities and facilities
This structure ensures continuity, accountability, and impact.
Tips for Strong Expressions of Interest
Organizations preparing an Expression of Interest should focus on clarity and alignment.
Key tips include:
- Demonstrate experience in emergency nutrition and food security
- Highlight community outreach and last-mile service delivery capacity
- Show ability to coordinate with government health systems
- Present clear strategies for follow-up and continuity of care
Strong submissions clearly link activities to improved nutrition outcomes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid common issues that reduce competitiveness.
These include:
- Proposing activities outside emergency nutrition or food security
- Weak community outreach or follow-up mechanisms
- Limited experience with malnutrition treatment programmes
- Poor alignment with UNICEF priorities or geographic focus
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this Call for Expression of Interest?
The call aims to improve access to life-saving nutrition services for children and mothers in cyclone-affected areas of Sri Lanka.
Which children are targeted by the programme?
Children aged 6–59 months with severe acute malnutrition are a primary target group.
Are pregnant and breastfeeding women included?
Yes, pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially those in transitional shelters and safety centres, are key beneficiaries.
What types of activities are expected?
Activities include malnutrition treatment, community outreach, behaviour change communication, and targeted nutrition support.
How long is the nutrition support provided?
Meal enrichment ingredients are provided over a three-month period for eligible families.
Which provinces are covered?
The initiative covers districts in the Eastern, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and North Western Provinces.
Who can submit an Expression of Interest?
Eligible organizations with experience in emergency nutrition and food security interventions may apply.
Conclusion
UNICEF’s Call for Expression of Interest represents a critical response to the nutrition crisis facing children and mothers in cyclone-affected districts of Sri Lanka. By combining treatment, prevention, community outreach, and targeted food support, the initiative aims to save lives, strengthen resilience, and support sustainable recovery for some of the country’s most vulnerable populations.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.