Highlights

-For 2012, the estimated caseload of severely acute malnourished children was 127,300, based on the August-Sept 2011 Nutrition Survey. Currently, a total of 73,630 have been admitted for treatment (57.8% of expected caseload). A significant increase in admissions for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) was observed in areas where new nutrition centres have been opened especially in the Eastern Sahel Band.

-With UNICEF’s support, the government of Chad recruited, trained and deployed 100 paramedics in different regions to revitalise the health system across the Sahel belt and opened an additional 47 nutrition centres.

-In June, the 3rd round of UNICEF-supported plumpydoz distribution to children aged 6-23 months took place, covering 7 regions across the Sahel belt, in coordination with WFP. This preventive intervention in the most affected areas was implemented from April to June 2012. The UNICEF intervention in June covered 91,920 children 6-23 months aged.

-Between April and July, UNICEF conducted the 4th Nutrition Survey in 11 regions of the Sahel belt. Preliminary results show an alarming nutritional situation. The rate of acute malnutrition rose from 14.5% ( August 2011) to 18.9% (July 2012) surpassing the emergency threshold of 15% set by WHO.