- Protect and support infant and young child feeding in emergencies.
- Put prevention and micronutrient interventions in place.
- Conduct an analysis and coordinate with the Nutrition cluster.
1Infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E)
In a crisis, breastfeeding saves lives: it provides safe water, antibodies and food that is always available. The recommendations: initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months, then appropriate complementary foods and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or beyond.
Unsolicited donations of breastmilk substitutes (powdered milk, bottles) are dangerous: they increase diarrhoea and mortality. The International Code of Marketing applies: substitutes are provided only to infants who really need them, after assessment, with follow-up and safe water. Donations received are reported to the Nutrition cluster.
2Prevention and micronutrients
Prevention costs less than treatment. Key actions: vitamin A supplementation and deworming for children, measles vaccination, micronutrient powders or fortified foods, iron and folic acid supplementation for pregnant women, and blanket supplementary feeding programmes when the situation is critical.
Prevention also relies on other sectors: water and sanitation against diarrhoea, cash transfers or rations for access to food, health for malaria and infections. A nutrition-sensitive programme sets explicit nutrition objectives.
3Assessments and surveys
The SMART survey is the reference method for measuring the prevalence of acute malnutrition and mortality. It relies on rigorous sampling, standardised measurements and quality control (data plausibility). Other tools complement it: exhaustive MUAC screening, programme data, nutrition surveillance systems, coverage surveys.
Nutrition data are children's personal data: minimal collection, secure storage, aggregated sharing. Results are validated with the Ministry of Health and the cluster before dissemination.
4The Nutrition cluster
The Nutrition cluster, led globally by UNICEF, coordinates the response with the Ministry of Health: joint analysis, 4W mapping, harmonisation of protocols and supplies, response plan and gap monitoring. It works closely with the Health, Food Security and WASH clusters, often within an integrated response framework.
For an NGO, taking part in the cluster means sharing its programme data every month, following common protocols, avoiding duplication and advocating together on supply or funding shortfalls.
A worrying donation
Refugee camp, coordination meeting
You represent your NGO at the Nutrition cluster meeting.
A local association announces the distribution of 5,000 tins of infant formula “to help mothers”. The exclusive breastfeeding rate is 60% and water is scarce.
Decision 1 of 3What is your first reaction?
Decision 2 of 3What do you propose for infants who really need a substitute?
Decision 3 of 3How do you protect breastfeeding in the camp?
Key takeaways
Protect breastfeeding, refuse untargeted distributions and organise a safe channel for infants who need it.
Exercise: a nutrition response plan
For an area in IPC AMN Phase 4 with 20,000 children aged 6 to 59 months, write a one-page plan: screening, treatment of SAM and MAM, prevention, breastfeeding protection, supply requirements, monitoring indicators and links with the other clusters.
Key points
- Exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months, continued up to 2 years or beyond.
- No untargeted distribution of breastmilk substitutes; respect the Code.
- Prevention: vitamin A, measles, micronutrients, blanket supplementary feeding if critical.
- SMART for prevalence and mortality; data protected and validated.
- Nutrition cluster led by UNICEF: common protocols, 4W, advocacy.
Further reading: course references
- Sphere Association (2018). The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response (Food Security and Nutrition chapter). spherestandards.org/fr/manuel-2018
- World Health Organization (2013). Guideline: updates on the management of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children. www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506328
- IFE Core Group (2017). Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies: Operational Guidance. www.ennonline.net/operationalguidance-v3-2017
- Action Against Hunger Canada, SMART (2017). SMART Methodology Manual. smartmethodology.org
- UNICEF, Global Nutrition Cluster (2024). Global Nutrition Cluster. www.nutritioncluster.net
Daily quiz
3 questions to check what you have learned. Answer them all to complete the day.