What is it about?
This study reports on results from a survey documenting the nutrition policies and activities of organisations which provide assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The survey reports on the number of organisations that have a nutrition policy, those that endorse an international one, and the nature of nutrition activities implemented including whether infant formula is distributed in accordance with international guidance.
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Why is it important?
In Lebanon, there are more than 1.2 million refugees, including many young children. International standards stress the importance of providing adequate nutrition support to families. This includes help for mothers to breastfeed successfully, which is especially important in crisis situations because of the increased risks due to lack of clean water and other resources. Protecting these young children from serious illnesses is essential. This study found that organisations helping refugees did not have the needed nutrition policies within their institutions, and a number of them were not abiding by international guidance. The results also showed that while a number of organisation were providing various non-nutrition services to mothers and children under two, these organisations did not take advantage of this contact with them to include the needed nutrition services for these very vulnerable people.
Perspectives
Organisations providing assistance to refugees should have a written policy or should endorse an international policy on nutrition, particularly for children under two years of age. Organisations should also implement activities to support breastfeeding and nutrition for young children as they are especially vulnerable. Not abiding by international guidance related to nutrition for these children will lead to poor support and therefore jeopardises health and even life during crisis situations. There is a need to ensure that organisations are better prepared for emergencies by having the required written policies and activities to support nutrition for children under the age of two.
Dr Andrew Symon
University of Dundee
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Infant and young child feeding in emergencies: Organisational policies and activities during the refugee crisis in Lebanon, Maternal and Child Nutrition, January 2018, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12576.
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