Overview of Acute Malnutrition

The numbers of children under five and pregnant and lactating women who will suffer from acute malnutrition in 2023 are currently being validated by the nutrition sector partners. During the current period that coincides with the peak of acute malnutrition from July - December 2022, there are 81 health zones and 39 territories classified as Serious (IPC Phase 3) and 19 health zones and 27 territories classified as Critical (IPC Phase 4).

Between January and June 2023, a significant deterioration in the nutritional situation will be observed, with four health zones and territories in Serious (IPC Phase 3) that will shift to Critical (IPC Phase 4), 25 zones and territories in Alert (IPC Phase 2) that will move to Serious (IPC Phase 3) and 178 health zones that will remain in Serious (IPC Phase 3). This will occur if adequate measures to mitigate the factors that aggravate malnutrition are not taken in the different health zones.

The aggravating factors of acute malnutrition vary from one health zone or territory to another. However, for the health zones and territories classified as Severe (IPC Phase 3 or above) the main factors are: poor infant and young child feeding practices; acute food insecurity; high prevalence of childhood diseases (malaria, diarrheal diseases and epidemics diseases such as measles and cholera); poor hygiene conditions (limited access to adequate sanitation facilities); poor access to drinking water; and the negative effects of the security situation which leads to massive displacement of the population. Faced with this critical situation, urgent and adapted actions must be implemented as a priority to improve the nutritional situation.

Recommendations for Acute Malnutrition

• Behavioural change to improve feeding practices: Invest in interventions to promote good feeding practices among the most affected communities, including continuous breastfeeding and adequate infant diet.
• Improve the nutritional response: Strengthen nutritional screening, support the capacity of health facilities and provide support to the nutrition response in alert areas – primarily in areas classified in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) or with high proportions of people in emergency situations.
• Water and sanitation: Acute malnutrition can be prevented by improving access to safe water and basic sanitation facilities for children and their families. This is particularly important in areas of conflict or among poor and displaced communities.
• Access to health care: Improve access to health services to improve the quality of care practices for newborns, children and mothers – especially at the community level – through culturally and age-appropriate health and nutrition protocols. Strengthen vaccination programs for measles as well as supplement children with Vitamin A or micronutrients.