A series of awareness programmes will be mooted to combat iron deficiency among expectant mothers and children, to mark the National Nutrition Month which begins on June 2. The Family Health Bureau, Health Education Bureau and the Medical Research Institute will implement the programmes, an Information Ministry release said. According to the Family Health Bureau, in Sri Lanka 30 per cent of expectant mothers and 20 per cent of children are suffering from iron-deficiency. Workshops will be conducted by NGos and the private sector to explain their role in implementing the National Nutrition Policy and promoting nutrition. The theme of the Nutrition Month is "Let us get together to promote national nutrition.' The birth of underweight children could be mitigated if the expectant mothers are benefitted from a well-articulated nutrition policy, particularly during their pregnancy, Community Health specialist of the Family Health Bureau Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle said.