- Analyse a situation using IPC AMN and surveys.
- Design an integrated response and calculate requirements.
- Manage quality and advocate with the cluster.
1The IPC Acute Malnutrition scale
The IPC AMN classifies areas into five phases, from “acceptable” to “extremely critical”, based on GAM prevalence and contributing factors (morbidity, diet, water, health, access). The analysis is carried out by a technical working group, with quality-controlled data, and produces projections for the coming months.
It is used to prioritise areas, size the response and advocate with donors. An NGO contributes its programme and screening data, but the analysis is consensus-based and validated by the national working group.
2An integrated response
The best results come from integrated packages around the child: screening, treatment, vaccination, safe water and hygiene, transfers or rations for the household, breastfeeding support, mothers' mental health. We speak of simplified approaches when the national protocol allows them: a single product for SAM and MAM, MUAC-based dosing, screening by mothers.
Designing an integrated response means targeting the same areas and the same households, sharing referral lists (while respecting data protection) and monitoring common indicators.
3Calculating requirements and managing supplies
Common formula for SAM: population aged 6-59 months × prevalence × incidence factor × target coverage, then multiplied by the quantity of RUTF per treatment (often around 150 sachets, depending on the protocol). A safety stock is added and supply lead times, often several months, are taken into account.
Stock monitoring is done every month, site by site, with stock-out alerts shared with the cluster. The pipeline is managed with UNICEF and WFP, which often supply RUTF and supplementary foods.
4Quality, accountability and advocacy
Quality is managed through performance indicators, coverage surveys, supportive supervision and community feedback (complaints mechanism, focus groups with mothers). Identified barriers (distance, hidden costs, reception) are addressed in an action plan.
Advocacy relies on data: prevalence, mortality, coverage gaps, supply stock-outs, cost of treatment per child cured. The cluster carries common messages to donors and authorities.
Exercise: the advocacy note
Based on a survey (GAM 15.8%, SAM 3.6%, OTP coverage 41%, RUTF stock-out expected in two months), write a one-page note for donors: situation, consequences if nothing is done, quantified supply and funding requirements, proposed integrated responses.
Key points
- IPC AMN: 5 phases, consensus-based analysis, projections.
- Integrated response around the child and the household; simplified approaches if the national protocol allows them.
- Requirements: population × prevalence × incidence × coverage × quantity per treatment, plus safety stock.
- Quality: indicators, coverage, supervision, community feedback.
- Data-driven advocacy, carried by the cluster.
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.