April Nutrition ...bummer

UNICEF Darfur Nutrition Update Apr 2008

Admissions into feeding centres are in line with seasonal trends, beginning to increase with progression into the hunger gap.

Vulnerability factors: Darfur is still vulnerable and there is concern that the nutritional situation in Darfur could deteriorate, in particular at the height of the hunger gap (June- August), in light of additional displacement, and subsequent pressure on individual IDP camps, pressure on the water table, poor harvest in South Darfur, and challenges in delivering aid to remote locations due to ongoing insecurity preventing the delivery of commodities and inhibiting staff presence to ensure delivery of quality programming.

Localised nutrition surveys: Results of eight surveys (3 in North Darfur, 3 in South Darfur, 2 in West Darfur) are pending government clearance. Some of these results have been pending for months and UNICEF has intensified its advocacy efforts to ensure release of the nutrition survey data.

Health: ARI, malaria and diarrhoea continue to be reported at the most prevalent illnesses during the reporting period, however prevalence is in line with seasonal trends.

Food security: WFP has announced that they will need to cut the GFD ration, reducing kcal content by 40%, following continued banditry against WFP delivery trucks. The cereal, pulses, and sugar will be cut 50 per cent, to 225 g, 30 g, and 15 g per person per day respectively. This will result in a reduction of kcal value by 40 per cent. While the GFD is cut, commodities for supplementary feeding, blanket feeding, and food for education will receive commodities as normal. Monthly market price data indicates localised increased in cereal and livestock.

Humanitarian access remains variable, as temporary suspensions of programmes and population displacement continue to be reported.

Greater Darfur
Available information from feeding centres, sentinel sites, assessments, and partners on the ground continues to suggest that the situation is progressing in line with seasonal trends with a few localised exceptions such as Al Salaam camp and El Fadrous in South Darfur, following displacement and insecurity. Nonetheless, there is concern that the nutritional situation in Darfur could deteriorate, in particular at the height of the hunger gap (June- August), in light of additional displacement, and subsequent pressure on individual IDP camps, pressure on the water table, poor harvest in South Darfur, and challenges in delivering aid to remote locations due to ongoing insecurity preventing the delivery of commodities and inhibiting staff presence to ensure delivery of quality programming.