IMPACT 175 – Restoring Anganwadis, Rebuilding Childhoods

1. Problem

When disasters damage an Anganwadi, a child's access to learning, nutrition and safety is put at risk.

Floods, excessive rainfall and droughts can disrupt Anganwadi services across India, leaving young children without safe learning spaces, supplementary nutrition, clean drinking water and essential early childhood care.

Damaged roofs, cracked walls, unsafe floors, inadequate sanitation and water shortages can prevent these centres from functioning effectively. In vulnerable communities, prolonged disruption places an additional burden on families who depend on Anganwadis for essential services.

Through IMPACT 175, we aim to identify disaster-affected Anganwadi centres, assess their immediate needs and mobilise resources to restore safe, functional and child-friendly spaces.

2. Location

Our initial focus: Maharashtra, Assam and Rajasthan, with expansion to other disaster-affected regions of India.

Maharashtra: Priority assessment in Marathwada and other flood- or drought-affected districts, including areas experiencing water scarcity, damaged infrastructure and interruptions to Anganwadi services. Districts and blocks will be selected following official verification of needs.
Assam: Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat, where government restoration assistance was announced for flood-damaged Anganwadi centres in 2026.
Rajasthan: Bhilwara and other districts covered by the state's Anganwadi restoration programme following heavy monsoon rainfall and flooding in 2025.
Other vulnerable regions: Selected districts in Karnataka, Odisha and Jharkhand, subject to verified assessments of disaster-related damage and service disruptions.

Our final intervention locations will be determined in consultation with district administrations, Women and Child Development departments, Child Development Project Officers, local authorities and community representatives.

3. Rationale

Every child deserves a safe place to learn, grow and receive nutrition, regardless of where a disaster strikes.

Anganwadis are vital community institutions supporting early childhood development, supplementary nutrition, health awareness and services for mothers and young children. When these facilities become damaged or unusable, the impact extends beyond the building itself.

In Maharashtra, drought-prone areas, particularly in Marathwada, face challenges related to drinking-water availability, sanitation and continuity of nutrition services. In flood-affected areas of Maharashtra, Assam and Rajasthan, damaged infrastructure can compromise children's safety and disrupt access to essential services.

Restoring Anganwadis can help communities:

Rebuild safe learning spaces: Repair damaged roofs, walls, floors, doors and windows.
Restore essential services: Support the resumption of early childhood education and supplementary nutrition.
Improve water and sanitation: Provide or restore safe drinking water, toilets and handwashing facilities.
Strengthen disaster resilience: Introduce suitable flood-resilient repairs, improved drainage, water storage and conservation measures.
Support vulnerable families: Help reduce the disruption experienced by children and families who depend on Anganwadi services.
Promote long-term sustainability: Encourage community participation, regular maintenance and disaster preparedness.

IMPACT 175 seeks to combine immediate restoration with practical improvements that help Anganwadis serve children and communities more safely in the future.

4. Implementation

From damage assessment to restoration, every intervention will be need-based, transparent and accountable.

Step 1: Identification and verification

Identify affected Anganwadi centres in Maharashtra, Assam, Rajasthan and other priority regions through district authorities and community networks. Record each centre's official name and code, village, block, damage category, operational status and number of children served.

Step 2: Needs and safety assessment

Conduct site visits to document structural damage, drinking-water shortages, sanitation issues and disruptions to essential services. Collect dated photographs, available official records and technical assessments wherever structural repairs are necessary.

Step 3: Centre-specific restoration planning

Prepare a restoration plan and itemised budget for each verified centre. Depending on local needs, interventions may include building repairs, roof restoration, safe flooring, drinking-water facilities, toilet repairs, drainage improvement and child-friendly learning spaces.

Step 4: Resource mobilisation

Mobilise contributions from individual donors, philanthropic supporters, foundations and eligible institutional partners through IMPACT 175. Link each proposed intervention to a documented need and a transparent budget.

Step 5: Repair and restoration

Implement approved work in coordination with the relevant authorities. In drought-affected areas of Maharashtra, interventions may prioritise water access, storage, sanitation and water conservation alongside necessary building repairs. In flood-affected locations, priorities may include structural repairs, drainage, protection against water ingress and safe restoration of essential facilities.

Major structural reconstruction will require appropriate technical assessments and permissions.

Step 6: Monitoring and impact assessment

Maintain centre-wise records of approved budgets, expenditure, photographs, progress reports and completed work. Verify the condition of restored facilities and coordinate with the responsible department regarding the resumption of essential services.

Step 7: Community participation and sustainability

Engage Anganwadi workers, parents, Gram Panchayats and community members in monitoring and maintaining the restored facilities. Promote cleanliness, water conservation, routine maintenance and local disaster preparedness.

Our Commitment

Through IMPACT 175, we aspire to help restore Anganwadis across Maharashtra, Assam, Rajasthan and other vulnerable regions as safe, functional and resilient spaces where children can continue learning, receive essential nutrition and experience care and protection after disasters.

A restored Anganwadi is more than a repaired building. It is a renewed opportunity for childhood, nutrition and hope.

All restoration priorities and funding commitments will be based on verified centre-level needs, technical recommendations and the approvals required from the relevant authorities.