How severe? How many? When? The analysis of all 29 provinces (in 7 regions) from January 2020 was updated in May 2020, as a result of the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the areas in this analysis, the acute malnutrition situation is usually of concern between August and November and during the lean season (July - September). In total, it is estimated that 372,035 children aged 6 to 59 months will suffer from acute malnutrition during the year 2020 in these 7 regions, based on the results of the national nutrition survey (SMART) conducted between October and November 2019. The second projected situation subject to this update covers the period of April to July 2020.
Where? The analysis reveals a deterioration of the nutritional situation in all provinces in the April - July period, due to the lean season and the persistence of the effects of COVID-19 and the impact of civil insecurity. Indeed, for the projected situation that is the subject of the update (April-July 2020), out of the 29 provinces analysed, 4 provinces, namely Seno, Soum, Oudalan and Yagha, have been classified in a Critical situation (IPC Phase 4); 11 provinces were classified in a Serious situation (IPC Phase 3), namely Sanguié, Gourma, Kossi, Nayala, Sourou, Zandoma, Namentenga, Loroum, Yatenga, of Bam and Sanmatenga - and 14 provinces were classified in a situation of Alert (IPC Phase 2), namely Mouhoun, Banwa, Bâlés, Ziro, Boulkiemdé, Sissili, Passoré, Gnagna, Tapoa, Komandjoari, Kompienga, Boulgou, Koulpèlgo and Kouritenga.
Why? The major contributing factors to acute malnutrition vary from one unit of analysis to another, however the main ones are: poor infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF), high prevalence of child morbidities (malaria, fever, diarrhoea, measles and ARIs), poor hygiene conditions (inaccessibility to sanitation facilities) and low coverage of drinking water facilities, the negative effects of the security situation, causing massive population displacements (Nord, Sahel, Centre-North, Boucle du Mouhoun, Est), inter-community conflicts, the closure/ malfunctioning of health structures and the negative impact of COVID-19 on the provision of health care and access to food.
Population estimates Projection update (April - July 2020)
Response priorities
It should be noted that of the 29 provinces analysed, 22 are experiencing a situation of civil insecurity that has been exacerbated throughout 2019. This situation has led to massive population displacements due to the deterioration of the security situation (attacks on the population or inter-community conflicts). In addition, there is the emergence of COVID-19 and its impacts, not only as a public health problem, but also for its negative impact on food security, through the measures taken by the government in the fight against the pandemic. These measures include border closures, restrictions on travel between major cities and the closure of regional markets. Most of these areas are classified in the Serious phase (IPC Phase 3), where the following urgent and early interventions are needed to reverse or contain a possible deterioration in the nutritional status of vulnerable people (children under 5 years old and pregnant and lactating women) and trends in acute malnutrition:
- Ensure access to quality treatment for all acutely malnourished children under 5 years of age and pregnant and lactating women in order to reduce the mortality rate;
- Anticipate the implementation of an emergency food assistance system for populations in CH Phase 3 of food insecurity;
- Strengthen surveillance and measures to combat COVID-19;
- Improve access to drinking water and sanitation services and increase awareness on the use of the sanitation infrastructure to prevent the spread of COVID-19;
- Intensify the awareness of women of good infant and young child feeding practices and exclusive breastfeeding;
- Strengthen the routine system, surveillance and management of diarrhoea, fever, malaria and acute respiratory infections as well as input management;
- Strengthen community awareness on the early use of health centres;
- Strengthen the coverage and duration of food aid to host households and IDPs in conflict zones.
Situation monitoring and update
For coordinated and efficient decision making over time:
- Present the IPC AMN analysis results to the Nutrition, Wash, Health and Food Security clusters;
- Support emergency preparedness and response actions and the fight against COVID-19 in health structures in areas with a high concentration of displaced populations;
- Identify, develop and implement innovative, contextualized (taking into account COVID-19) and community-based interventions to ensure access to essential services for populations, including in areas with limited access;
- Ensure monitoring and analysis of food and nutrition security in areas identified as critical and/or at risk of deterioration, with analyses at a disaggregated level, taking into account specific situational factors and trans-boundary dynamics;
- Strengthen the nutritional surveillance system and quarterly screening campaigns for acute malnutrition.
Risk factors to monitor
- Residual civilian insecurity/risk of attacks by non-state armed groups;
- Continuous displacement of populations and their concentration in urban areas;
- Surveillance of the epidemiological situation: COVID-19 and measles;
- Functionality (minimal or total closure) of health infrastructures due to civil insecurity;
- Coverage of preventive and curative care (YCFP, acute malnutrition, measles, malaria and ARIs);
- Availability, accessibility of agricultural production and variation in cereal prices due to insecurity and COVID-19.