Shell Foundation has been running The Room to Breathe IAP-Awareness Campaign in the Shimoga District of Karnataka since October 2009. This campaign has been in development since October 2008
KILLER IN THE KITCHEN
The Campaign has been developed to run on three levels: Local, National and Global. On the Local level, it promotes Improved Cook Stoves (ICS) to IAP-affected households in Karnataka. At the state level, it works with government authorities to support grass root efforts. On the National level the campaign aims to lobby with key health and environment opinion-leaders with the aim of pushing IAP up the agenda, in turn leading to a measurable increase in resources – both financial and other – applied to tackling IAP from the Indian government.
KILLER IN THE KITCHEN
The Chief Minister of Karnataka enthusisatically endorsed the campaign, which was the key factor to the campaign’s success. Activities in Shimoga include van campaigns, touring every village and town with a population of 2000 upwards (110 in total) and conducting extensive awareness-raising activities, focused around demonstrating ICS. Shell Foundation has also joined hands with health workers and Anganwadi workers to spread awareness about the dangers of IAP.
KILLER IN THE KITCHEN
Torque Communications has been an enabling partner that has engaged the government and media at various levels to create a matrix of support. Working with taluk, district and state level authorities, Torque has mobilized almost one hundred workers in each Taluk to support the IAP campaign and promote the usage of improved cook stoves.