The International Rescue Committee (IRC), under the European Union Pakistan-funded “Strengthening Local Civil Society and Community-Based Organizations and their Capacity in the Nutrition Sector in Sindh,” has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, to conduct joint social research aimed at strengthening civil society organizations (CSOs) and supporting evidence-based Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) interventions. The SIGN program is being implemented jointly by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF) and the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO).
Speaking on this occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk noted, “This partnership enables students and faculty to engage in applied research on adolescent and maternal nutrition. By working with CSOs, we can build capacity, strengthen academic and practitioner linkages, and generate evidence that informs policy and community-level solutions in Sindh.”
In his remarks, Dr. Ranomal Lohano (Project Coordinator IRC) emphasized the importance of bridging academia and civil society “Collaboration between universities and CSOs is essential to address malnutrition. Through this EU-funded initiative, IRC and SALU will generate evidence that strengthens SBCC programming, builds local capacity, and supports evidence-based policymaking in Sindh.”
Dr. Ali Raza Lashari, Principal Investigator of this initiative, shared salient features of this collaboration, highlighting that SALU’, in collaboration with partner Civil Society Organizations BSWA (Khairpur) and HAWA (Ghotki), will actively lead field research. This approach will ensure that findings remain grounded in community realities and translate into practical, locally relevant solutions.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished officials, including Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Wahid Bux Jatoi, Mr. Zaheer Ahmed (BCC Specialist, IRC), Dr. Zulfiqar Shaikh (Registrar, SALU), Mr. Najam Din Soho (Director Finance), Mr. Nazeer Ahmed Mangnijo (Director Colleges), Dr. Sahib Oad, Mr. Imran Somroo, and Mr. Waseem.
This partnership is part of the European Union–funded project implemented by the International
Rescue Committee in collaboration with local civil society organizations, reaffirming the EU’s
commitment to strengthening communities and advancing nutrition outcomes in Sindh.
In Pakistan, the European Union’s support to nutrition commenced with humanitarian assistance
after the 2010 floods. Since 2013 this assistance has taken a long‐term and sustainable perspective by assisting public departments to deliver nutrition services, within a clear and efficient policy framework.
The EU assistance has greatly contributed to the improvement of nutrition through flagships programs of Women and children/infants Improved Nutrition in Sindh (WINS), and Programme for Improved Nutrition in Sindh (PINS) through which the EU is integrating the work done by the Government of Sindh in the frame of the Accelerated Action Plan for Reduction of Stunting and Malnutrition.
