Preventing Malnutrition in Humanitarian Settings
Regional programme guidance
Highlights
Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa face repeated shocks and stresses, including political and economic instability, conflict, food insecurity, disease outbreaks and climate hazards including droughts, floods, and cyclones. Many populations experience both chronic and acute vulnerabilities that make them highly susceptible to the impacts of shocks and stresses. If underlying vulnerabilities are not adequately addressed, the risk of malnutrition increases, especially among young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls (PBWGs), leading to increased risk of child morbidity and mortality, and negative impacts throughout the life cycle and into the next generation.
The purpose of this guidance is to support UNICEF country offices, Governments, other United Nations agencies and implementing partners to develop context-specific packages of multi-sectoral interventions to prevent malnutrition in humanitarian settings in Eastern and Southern Africa. The guidance presents a list of possible interventions targeted at different stages of the life course, intended to run alongside the early detection and treatment of child wasting, in line with national, regional and global guidance. Possible enabling actions during preparedness, response and recovery phases are also listed, as well as tools to enable practical implementation.
