Iran

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Summary: Phase 4. Sustained scale-up & integration

The support program for needy pregnant and lactating mothers suffering from malnutrition and in financial need (or referred by the health center) in the provinces of Iran was started by the Ministry of Health (Community Nutrition Improvement Office), the Alavi Foundation and the Center for Population Youth, Family Health and Schools since 2007. The support program was first started only in rural areas by providing food baskets, and after 4 years, the outskirts of the cities were also included in the program. The contents of the food basket included rice 10 kg, 4 packs of enriched or normal pasta of 700 g each, chickpeas 1 pack 900 g, 2 packs of lentils 900 g, cobs 1 pack 900 g, 4 packs of soybeans 250 g each, pinto beans 1 pack 900 g, dates 2 packs 900 g, oatmeal 1 pack 900 g, 3 one-liter bottles of liquid oil, 7 kg of frozen chicken, 1 package of red beans of 900 g, and 2 molds of 450 g of cheese.

Since 2019, due to management changes, it was decided to change this type of support from providing food baskets to providing cash deposits [250 thousand tomans ($21)], but food baskets are still being provided in some areas.

Women are eligible to receiving the intervention from the fourth month of pregnancy until 6 months postpartum. The eligibility criteria includes: weight < 45 kg, hemoglobin < 11 g/dL, and to be in need (as confirmed by a healthcare provider).
Women who receive the intervention, also receive a care card and participate in health and nutrition education training sessions (e.g., they are taught which food items to buy with the money).

Source: Dolati et al. 2025

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