An IPC Acute Malnutrition analysis of 10 municipalities in Southern Angola has revealed that around 114,000 children under the age of five are suffering or are likely to suffer from acute malnutrition in the next 12 months and therefore require treatment. Between April and September 2021, the municipalities of Humpata and Jamba in Huila Province, and Bibala and Moçâmedes in Namibe Province had Serious levels of acute malnutrition (IPC AMN Phase 3), the municipalities of Cuanhama and Cuvelai (Cunene), Chibia and Quilengues (Huila) and Camucuio (Namibe) had Alert levels of acute malnutrition (IPC AMN Phase 2), and the municipality of Namacunde, in the province of Cunene, the least affected, had Acceptable levels of acute malnutrition (IPC AMN Phase 1). Factors contributing to the high levels of acute malnutrition include inadequate and poor dietary intake, mainly due to high levels of acute food insecurity and inadequate care and feeding practices, and the high prevalence of infectious diseases, mainly due to inadequate access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation, low vaccination coverage and low health seeking behaviour. For the period of October 2021 to February 2022, a projection analysis of the situation suggests that the rainy season, characterized by food shortages and high incidence of acute malnutrition, may lead to a deterioration in all municipalities, thereby leading to a shift in phase from the current classification. For the four municipalities currently classified in IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious), the situation could deteriorate to IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical). The five municipalities classified in IPC AMN Phase 2 (Alert) could move to IPC AMN Phase 3, and the municipality of Namacunde classified in IPC AMN Phase 1 (Acceptable) could move to IPC AMN Phase 2.

There is a need to ensure that all children suffering and likely to suffer from acute malnutrition over the reporting periods have access to treatment. In fact, the following strategic objectives for priority response have been identified:

• Encourage increased and coordinated attention in the tailored humanitarian response to treat existing cases and prevent further deterioration in the coming months.
• Intensify and expand the provision of essential integrated health and nutrition services at community level, including active case finding and treatment of acute malnutrition (in the community if possible) and integrated water and sanitation education.
• Promote and intensify awareness raising on good practices of adequate food consumption in children aged 6-23 months at community level and exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age.
• Improve access to safe water and improved latrines.
• Monitor the nutritional and food security situation throughout the projection period.