INFANT FEEDING IN EMERGENCIES

23-24 September 2002

Facilitator Lida Lhotska

Co-facilitators: Helen Armstrong, Felicity Savage

The Context

• Increase in emergencies up from 14 to 35 million in 15years (refugees & displaced)

• Negative impact on economic and social infrastructure

• Affects water/sanitation, shelter, food security and health infrastructure

• Reduction of coping mechanisms, increased vulnerability incl. phychological

Household in camp near Goma, Zaire/Congo IFE 1/10U

NIC

EF

-D01

94-0

285/

Bet

ty P

ress

Key issues (W1)

• Brief history of the infant feeding in emergencies

• Introduction of Operational Guidance on IFE and Modules 1 and 2.

• Spillover of therapeutic milk due to perceived endorsement by health workers

• Silent emergencies

Conclusions (W1)

• Training is key. In established refugee camps awareness of and improvements in appropriate infant feeding practices have been observed.

Main recommendations (W1)

• Collect case studies and experiences in relation to IFE and share them with the Core Group

• Suggest experts to assist in review of Module 2

Main Recommendations (W1)

• Need to monitor Code compliance in emergencies (part of SIM?)

• Core Group on IFE to consider adding a section on monitoring of the implementation of interventions

Key issues (W2)

o Experiences from 3 continents

o Operational Guidance on IFE presented

o Assessment for 0-6mth and lack of tools

• HIV/AIDS in emergencies is an issue of concern (gap in information, lack of consensus).

Conclusions (W2)

o Absence of understanding of complexities and implications of infant feeding methods in emergencies

o When mothers and health professionals able to make informed decisions, practices change.

o Support for women in emergencies critical incl. psychological

Main recommendations (W2)

• Need to develop strategies for emergency preparedness in IFE

• UN should assist with development of IFE guidelines at national level

• More coordinated approach in emergencies in line with Operational Guidance

• Include communities in decision-making and implementation of interventions

Main recommendations (W2)

• Closer collaboration and information sharing between relief and development agencies, and emergency and breastfeeding groups.

• Assessment instruments need to be developed for infants below 6 months

• HIV/AIDS: urgent need for general consensus. Improved collaboration across sectors (modules do cover it in a manner consistent with the UN policy)