Overview:

A total of 418,927 children are currently suffering from acute malnutrition based on SMART survey results carried out in August 2017 in Chad. This number could increase during 2018 if urgent measures are not taken, Of the 11 regions included in the analysis, nine regions (N’Djamena, Kanem, Lac, Bahr El Ghazal, Hajer Lamis, Batha, Sila, Salamat, Wadi Fira) are classified in Critical (IPC AMN Phase 4) during the current period (June-September 2017). The levels of acute malnutrition in two regions (Guera and Ouaddai) which are classified in Serious (IPC Phase 3) in the current period are expected to remain the same in the projected situation. The acute malnutrition situation in all other analysed regions is expected to improve during the projection period of October 2017 - March 2018. In total, four of the 11 regions currently classified in Critical (IPC AMN Phase 4) will likely move to Alert (IPC AMN Phase 2). Meanwhile, four regions currently classified Catastrophe (IPC AMN Phase 5) will likely move to Serious (IPC AMN Phase 3) for the projected period.

Key drivers:

• Poor feeding practices for children aged 6 to 23 months, particularly very low rates of exclusive breastfeeding.
• Nearly non-existent dietary diversity (Minimum Acceptable Diversity: <5%).
• High prevalence of disease in children (fever, acute respiratory infection, diarrhea).
• Low use of health services.
• Weak vaccination coverage for diseases such as measles.

• Strengthen and expand coverage of care for malnourished children even if routine data shows a rate of care for SAM and MAM in children of more than 80% in healthcare units.
• Improve availability and access to MAM treatment programs by scaling up existing treatments, including improving screening and referrals, and ensuring treatment.
• Address the main factors contributing to acute malnutrition in the regions. Prevention activities should revolve around improving child feeding practices and treatment, and the prevention of childhood illnesses.
• Improving access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services must also be a priority.
• Set up activities to promote behavior changes in regards to accessing healthcare services, especially for childhood illnesses.
• Increase in the supply of measles vaccination in health centers.
• Conduct multi-actor interventions to reduce acute malnutrition in all regions, with a particular focus on the seven regions classified in Serious (IPC AMN Phase 3) and Critical (IPC AMN Phase 4).
• Anemia has been identified as a major contributing factor to acute malnutrition in all regions, therefore, interventions for the reduction of anemia must be undertaken by the various stakeholders.