Key Interventions in Nutrition
On October 8, 2005 areas of the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) and Pakistan Administered Kashmir were hit by a major earthquake (7.6 on RC). It severely affected the already vulnerable population of the mountainous region where food stocks are scarce and access to markets is difficult. Children suffered the most in the aftermath of this natural disaster. In order to alleviate suffering and to minimise micronutrient malnutrition among children and pregnant/lactating mothers, UNICEF along with the World Food Programme (WFP) distributed high energy biscuits and Fortified Blended Food (FBF) amongst the affected population. UNICEF and WFP also started a joint Supplementary ration programme which is aimed to contribute towards achieving the MDG pertaining to reduction in maternal and child morbidity and mortality. UNICEF supported the Federal Ministry of Health to conduct a nutrition survey amongst the affected population which indicated acute malnutrition in surviving children. Seven supplementary Feeding Centres with a Home-based Therapeutic approach were established for severely malnourished children with support and assistance from UNICEF. UNICEF is collaborating with WFP and the World Health Organization (WHO) on a school feeding and de-worming project aimed at improving the health status of school going children. With majority of the affected population returning from IDP camps to their native areas, UNICEF’s strategy is to empower families and communities with knowledge and problem solving skills with active involvement of Lady Health Workers/Community Health Workers and organizations. All activities are geared towards household so that families have full benefit of the programme. From Feb. 25 2006 a therapeutic feeding centre in Muzaffarabad. Also camp-to-camp promotion of breastfeeding so as to sensitize the women in the camps on breastfeeding before they leave the various camps
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