Around 72,000 children aged 6 to 59 months and over 19,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are suffering or expected to suffer from acute malnutrition between November 2025 and October 2026. In the current period (November 2025 - April 2026), corresponding to the lean season, the district of Doa is classified in IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious), while Mutarara and Macossa are classified in IPC AMN Phase 2 (Alert). The remaining districts are classified in IPC AMN Phase 1 (Acceptable). In the projection period (May - October 2026), Doa is expected to remain in Phase 3, while Mutarara and Macossa are expected to remain in Phase 2. The situation is likely to deteriorate in the districts of Morrumbala and Erati, which are projected to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2. 

The main factors contributing to acute malnutrition include the increase in internally displaced people in the district of Erati, coming from the district of Memba which creates an additional burden on already limited resources such as food, water, and health services. A low-quality diet and acute food insecurity also play a prominent role, as does the projected food insecurity for the period from October 2025 to March 2026, carried out in the Post-Shock Assessment 2025. The situation is further worsened by the high prevalence of malaria, diarrhea, and dysentery, poor access to clean water and sanitation, and medium to low vaccination coverage—factors that significantly increase the nutritional vulnerability of children.

• Ensure all children suffering from acute malnutrition have access to treatment. 
• As soon as security is restored in the Memba district, conduct a SMART survey to rigorously assess the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 59 months, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. Conducting this survey will allow the identification of the actual levels of malnutrition, understand the severity, and guide evidence-based decisions for the implementation of appropriate, timely, and priority nutritional interventions in the district.
• Expand and intensify the provision of essential health and nutrition services at the community level, including active case finding for acute malnutrition and treatment, and integrate water and sanitation education actions, involving the districts in the planning and coordination of responses.
• Promote and intensify awareness actions on good dietary practices for children aged 6-23 months at the community level. 
• Improve access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation and raise community awareness on their use. 
• Use nutritional surveillance systems to identify pockets of acute malnutrition and respond appropriately in the respective areas. 
• Monitor the nutritional and food security situation at the end of the projection period using the SMART methodology.