Nutrition Cluster Initiative on Assessment in Emergencies including Infant Feeding in Emergencies Bruce Cogill, Ph.D. Global Cluster Coordinator IFE Meeting Bali Indonesia 11 March 2008

2 Examples of Materials and Tools SMART HNTS NICS CE-CRED DHS MICS CNNCNN UNICEF WHO

3 Overview of Activities (Shelter Cluster) –Preparation of baseline data – p-codes, populations, demographics, poverty, vulnerability, income level, livelihood information –Collection of damage and disaster impact data – government sources, initial assessments, Red Cross –Definition of needs – Strategic Advisory Group and Technical Working Groups –Collection of agency reports – agency capacity analysis –Collating all reports - creation of master spreadsheet –Analysing data – through maps and descriptive statistics with reference to needs and damage – gap analysis, predicted coverage –Dissemination of information – googlegroup, advocacy to donors, press releases, sitreps, meeting minutes Examples from the Field: Yogyakarta

4 Geospatial maps Descriptive statistics and percentages Gap analysis, predicted coverage with reference to needs, damage and agency capacity Emergency Shelter Gap Analysis: Yogyakarta 2006

5 Health WASH and Nutrition Tri-Cluster Tool Status Field tested in six countries Result of field tests positive Always needs country- level adaptation Finalized in April 2008 Next steps To be endorsed by the three clusters by mid-08 To be translated into French and Spanish To be widely disseminated and become part of preparedness, perhaps adding additional clusters To be housed and supported for future updates Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA)

6 IRA Questionnaire

7 IRA Field Assessment Form -- Infant Feeding Questions Overall Ranking: Nutrition (including infant & young child feeding) – Red Orange Green with problems identified with recommendations Vulnerable groups: Estimated number of infants without mothers (or other longer term primary caregivers) and Information on the situation of these infants Existing Capacities for infant and young child feeding programs: Organisation or person responsible with -- Normal / current activities -- Limitations to capacity or performance (lack of staff, materials and equipment, funds, access Food Consumption: Foods (3) currently given to infants <1 year of age Food Access: Commercial infant formula availability Key Informant: Main concerns reported by the population (women and caregivers) and by health professionals related to infant and young child feeding

8 WHO Core Assessment IFE Indicators

9 Status Project to be launched in 2008 based on IRA Nutrition Cluster focused Aims to create IM system linking existing tools to identify and prioritise needs, gaps and monitor implementation Next steps To further develop, field test and pilot the system/tool Comprehensive Assessment Tool

10 CCCs: Core Commitments for Children Status Started in 2007 with UN, Cluster and Donor support Project is housed at WHO Co-chaired by Nutrition Cluster and UNHCR First Steering Committee Meeting held in Apr’07 Aims to improve information on humanitarian conditions with focus on Nutrition and Mortality Participants include UN, NGOs, donors Next steps Developing work plan and agree on piloting Donor meeting planned for mid-2008 Health and Nutrition Tracking Service

11 CCCs: Core Commitments for Children Status Started in 2007 with UN, Cluster and Donor support Focused on Wasting and Mortality with some food security information SMART methodology, software and training and guidance materials updating ongoing Next steps Rolling out Review of additional information including infant and young child nutrition SMART Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transition

12 Other sources: MICS, DHS, Government agencies, NGOs Multi Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Tool for household surveys Developed by UNICEF Can help estimate key indicators, including MDGs Normally used in development settings Has also been used in conflict-affected countries like Sudan Useful for understanding “usual situation” along with Government, DHS, NGO and other sources

13 Observations on Information on IFE in Emergencies Information Management key Need standardization on information needs including collation and agreement on indicators, cutoffs, benchmarks, and information systems Assessments need regular reporting not only on key practices but also institutional performance Progress among concerned agencies on measurements and reporting

14 Thank you