Somalia Nutrition Situation Update, September-October 2010
Issued: October 21, 2010
The International Medical Corps (IMC) in partnership with FSNAU/UNICEF conducted a nutrition survey in Sanaag region on October 1st-12th, 2010 using the standard methodology . The study aimed at informing on the nutrition situation following the August 2010 Post Gu 2010 nutrition and food security analysis which indicated an Alert nutrition situation, but a food security crisis in parts of Sanaag region (Maps 1 & 2). This information will also serve as a baseline for a nutrition interventions planned by IMC in the area.
Preliminary findings using the CDC probability calculator indicate a GAM rate of >8.5% (Pr= 0.90) and a SAM rate of >0.6% (Pr= 0.90), with one (0.3%) oedema case. These results indicate a sustained Alert nutrition phase in Sanaag region. The retrospective crude death rate of 0.35 (0.14-0.86) deaths/10,000 persons/day, with no under five deaths is reported indicating an Acceptable situation according to the WHO classification.
High morbidity rates are a predisposing factor to the sub-optimal nutritional status, with 27% of the assessed children reportedly having fallen ill in the two weeks prior to the survey. Also of concern is the access to safe water, sanitation and health facilities which are limited to less than 50% of the assessed population. Poor access to milk for consumption or sale, mainly due to poor livestock body conditions and out-migration are aggravating factor in the pastoral population in the area during this time of the year.
Linking Nutrition Information to Response
Following the FSNAU Post Gu 2010 (April-July 2010) seasonal analysis of the nutrition and food security situation, stakeholders in Somalia have worked jointly to link information on the current situation to response. A special focus is provided in this Nutrition Update on efforts by the Somalia Nutrition Cluster, FSNAU, Save the Children and the UNFAO/Response Analysis Support Team on response analysis and implementation:-
- The Nutrition Cluster Review Committee, alongside with other clusters in the Somalia country program, are currently reviewing 39 project sheets as part of the Somalia 2011 Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP). A description of how the nutrition information is used to develop the response strategy is provided by the nutrition cluster coordinator.
- Besides the bi-annual nutrition situation classification and cartographical presentation of findings, FSNAU provides estimated caseloads of acute malnutrition based on Weight-for-height Z scores (WHZ) findings. Map 4, illustrates the distribution of the estimated caseloads for the acutely malnourished children, and the regional importance relative to population density based on the Post Gu 2010 nutrition situation findings. This piece describes how these numbers are estimated. Projected caseloads of acute malnutrition in year 2011 are also explained.
- Save the Children is currently undertaking a nutrition program in Hiran Region, an area faced with sustained Very Critical Nutrition Situation from the Post Deyr 2009/10 and shares a human interest case study of one of their beneficiaries.
- The UNFAO/Response Analysis Support Team (RAST) for Somalia, through a consultative process has developed a food security and nutrition Response Analysis Framework comprising of four elements discussed in this bulletin:
- A problem tree analysis of proximate, underlying and structural causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in Somalia;
- A vulnerability analysis matrix which identifies the vulnerability to food insecurity of the various livelihood zones in Somalia
- The identification of response objectives and potential response options based on the problem and vulnerability analysis;
- A Response Options Analysis Matrix to evaluate potential response options against feasibility and appropriateness criteria.
Special Study - Child Feeding Index
Efforts to measure and demonstrate the association between feeding practices and nutritional outcomes are generally hampered by the tendency of most studies to focus on a single feeding practice (for example, the impact of exclusive breastfeeding). While single feeding practice approaches are valuable, they result in fragmented information on the impact of child feeding on the nutrition outcomes. A composite child feeding index (CFI) that combines various dimensions of feeding as one variable has, therefore, been proposed. In this regard therefore, FSNAU has undertaken a pilot study with the objective of illustrating the association between a composite CFI on infant and young child feeding practices and nutrition outcomes in Somalia. The findings are shared in this Nutrition Update.
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