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

135,476 children are likely to suffer from acute malnutrition in the ten analysed districts, including 27,137 severe cases based on the three forms of acute malnutrition from SMART surveys.

The major contributing factors to the deterioration of the nutritional situation include: inadequate food intake with rates between 1.2 and 2.2%, and low minimum diet with rates between 0 and 2%. Poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities also contributes to increasing levels of acute malnutrition. The mortality rate for Amboasary Atsimo and Ambovombe has reached emergency stages and is one of the factors exacerbating malnutrition in these districts. 

Population estimates October 2020 - April 2021

In the short term:

• Strengthen actions aimed at improving the coverage and quality of nutritional care for children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) in order to care for the 135,000 children in need of immediate treatment;
• Support food diversification programs for children already affected by acute malnutrition, including strengthening household food security;
• Strengthen and / or identify actions to improve drinking water supplies and improve sanitation coverage for vulnerable populations and in health facilities.

In the medium and long term:

• Strengthen actions for the early identification of acute malnutrition and diseases, such as diarrhea, malaria / fevers and respiratory infections, at the community level, and strengthen treatment;
• Strengthen the mechanisms for promoting good Infant and Young Child Feeding practices;
• Support economic development programs with rapid and lasting impacts on the financial situation of households.