DISCLAIMER: Please note that this IPC Acute Malnutrition analysis was integrated with an IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis.

An estimated 541,700 children aged 6-59 months and 98,800 pregnant or lactating women require treatment for acute malnutrition. The nutrition situation has remained similar across arid counties compared to the August 2020 analysis and was Critical (IPC Acute Malnutrition Phase 4) in Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Samburu, Turkana, North Horr and Laisamis sub-counties in Marsabit County and Tiaty in Baringo County.

The main reason for the high levels of acute malnutrition is largely attributable to the reduced milk production and consumption among children, which is the main diet for children in arid areas. However, the large differences between the severity of acute food insecurity and acute malnutrition situations in these areas warrants further analysis.

Population estimates February - May 2021

• Monitor closely the projected worsening trends including safely resuming household level surveillance activities such as the use of regular MUAC in the Early Warning System and integrated nutrition SMART surveys for improved detection and monitoring of the food and nutrition situation;
• Continue to advocate for national and county governments to allocate resources aimed at addressing malnutrition, including social safety net programs and procurement of commodities for management of acute malnutrition;
• Continue to advocate on the role of nutrition in disease management, including in management of COVID-19 cases, especially for those under home-based isolation and care;
• Continue to monitor the effects of COVID-19 on continuity of essential services and livelihoods to mitigate its effect on the food and nutrition situation; and
• Ensure timely contingency and response planning for early action and mitigate the effects of the projected worsening food and drought situation on nutrition.