1. IYCF in Emergencies Allison Oman World Food Programme Regional Bureau Nairobi 2 nd February 2016

2. Some Facts and Figures 60 million children live in humanitarian crises worldwide Only 36% of infants 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed More than 250 million children under age 5 live in countries affected by armed conflict. 56% of maternal and child deaths take place in fragile settings Anemia is estimated to contribute to 20% of maternal deaths 67.6% of preschool children and 57.1% of pregnant women are anemic in Africa- the highest rates in the world 161 million children are stunted 51 million children are wasted

3. IYCF in Emergencies- a definition IYCF-E is concerned with protecting and supporting breastfed and non- breastfed infants, complementary feeding, care practices, child development, child protection, pregnancy and general maternal and child nutrition and health (mental and physical). IYCF-E is about feeding of infants and young children but in order to ensure this and appropriate care for the infant, it requires cross-sectoral responsibility and engagement including with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), camp management, security, settlement and shelter, health, food security and livelihoods, logistics, child protection, general coordination, and so on. Save the Children IYCF Friendly Framework

4. The Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IFE) Operational Guidance proposes 8 areas of basic intervention: Prioritise support to meet the immediate essential needs* Register households to identify needs and help plan support Establish secure and supportive places Care for the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women* Enable safe and appropriate complementary feeding* Support early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding Ensure consistent and appropriate communication on IFE* Ensure access to basic frontline feeding support* *WFP Direct Intervention

5. WFP Commitment to IYCF in Emergencies Essential nutrients to support pregnant and lactating women Essential nutrients for children 6-23 month Education and counseling on exclusive breastfeeding and introduction of complementary foods Provision of blanket nutrition support to all pregnant/lactating women and young children in refugee camps due to nutrient gap in general food distribution Special focus on pregnant/lactating women and children during humanitarian emergencies Ensuring programs/products do not disrupt breastfeeding Ensuring compliance with the Breast Milk Code

6. Challenges to IYCF in Emergencies Women’s time-> fuel, water, distribution lines Breastfeeding disruption during displacement Crowding, lack of privacy, lack of shade Distribution of milk powder, bottles, or formula in emergencies Breastfeeding disruption-> cessation because of lack of qualified lactation specialists Assumptions about milk sufficiency Dehydration Difficulty in identifying pregnant/lactating women, fear of cheating Access to adequate clean water, hygiene and sanitation Sufficient shelter Food security and livelihood options Protection