Observations on dietary practices, behaviour change and social protection in Gouripur

By Sanjida Sultana

This report documents a joint field mission by the Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Bangladesh to Gouripur Upazila, Mymensingh District, from 21 to 23 August 2026. The mission examined how a community-based nutrition and behaviour change initiative operates alongside the Food-Friendly Programme, a national safety net that distributes rice to card-holding households.

Drawing on stakeholder meetings, courtyard-session observations, and direct conversations with government officials, food dealers, youth volunteers and beneficiaries, the report sets out what the delegation observed and what it may indicate for the design of Bangladesh’s next social security framework.