Attachments
Introduction:
The severe problem of chronic malnutrition in the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa impacts with one in every two children aged 6 to 59 months stunted. The Nutrition cluster partners aim to address this issue by expanding access to effective nutrition interventions for vulnerable groups such as children under five, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and people with disabilities. They also plan to strengthen the linkages between nutrition programs and social protection initiatives to support early recovery.
In areas that are difficult to reach or affected by conflict, simplified approaches will be implemented to prevent, identify, and treat acute malnutrition. This includes using family-led mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements for case identification, MUAC-only admission, and discharge criteria, and reducing the frequency of follow-up visits to health facilities. Additionally, providing larger take-home rations of ready-to-use therapeutic or supplementary foods will be encouraged to improve the uptake of life-saving nutrition services.
This document outlines the proposed methodology for calculating beneficiaries' overall reach and each indicator reached for the nutrition cluster via the 5W reporting. In alignment with our commitment to accuracy and consistency in data reporting, and to minimize the risk of double counting beneficiaries, this methodology aims to provide a robust framework for assessing the impact of nutrition interventions.
Situation:
The HNO indicated a general deterioration of nutrition conditions in the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa, with one in every two children aged 6 to 59 months stunted, and 26,936 children under 5 were treated for severe or moderate acute malnutrition and 29,075 pregnant and breastfeeding women in 2023 (four times more than estimated). The 2023 SMART survey continued reporting a high prevalence of stunting (52% vs 44.5% in 2022) which is compounded by the simultaneous presence of wasting, with a prevalence range from 2.2% to 9.3% in the survey domains, resulting in a double burden of malnutrition.
Despite concerted humanitarian efforts that have played a pivotal role in averting a catastrophic outcome, communities continue to grapple with significant challenges. With an estimated 625,000 people in need and given the high nutritional vulnerability of children under age 5 and the critical food security needs of displaced people as well as returnees, the aim is to reach approximately 80% of the overall people who fall within severity levels 3 and 4. This translates to a targeted population of 487,000, predominantly comprising children and women.
To address this crisis effectively, cluster partners goal is to reach 80% of the most vulnerable, encompassing internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and children with disabilities. Prioritization of interventions is guided by urgency, geographical focus, and needs assessments. Projects are meticulously selected, considering operational capacity and the imperative to respond swiftly and effectively, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Response:
Aligned with the objectives outlined in the Humanitarian Response Plan, the Nutrition Cluster partners aims to achieve lifesaving and life-sustaining support for the treatment of acute malnutrition in children under-five and pregnant and lactating women. This initiative seeks to reduce mortality and related morbidity, including those with HIV and other vulnerable groups such as adolescent girls and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the cluster partners aim to prevent the increase of acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in children under-five and pregnant and lactating women, including those with HIV and other vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the cluster endeavors to promote optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, as well as disseminate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) best practices messages to caregivers of children under two, including those with HIV and/or disabilities.
The response strategy is categorized into three main areas, each with specific indicators and activities outlined below:
Objective 1: Life-saving support for treatment of acute malnutrition in children under-five and pregnant and lactating women to reduce mortality and related morbidity including those with HIV and other vulnerable groups (adolescent girls and disabled)
- Indicator: Number of under-five children screened for acute malnutrition.
- Indicator: Number of Pregnant and Lactating Women screened for acute malnutrition.
- Indicator: Number of under-five children admitted for treatment SAM in IMAM programme (PRN).
- Indicator: Number of under-five children admitted for treatment MAM in IMAM programme (PRN).
- Indicator: Number of Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs) admitted for treatment (SAM and MAM) in IMAM programme (PRN).
Objective 2: Prevent the increasing of Acute Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in children under-five and pregnant and lactating women including those with HIV and other vulnerable groups (adolescent girls and disabled).
- Indicator: Number of children aged 6 to 59 months receiving vitamin A supplementation.
- Indicator: Number of under-five children that received specialized nutritious food or micronutrient supplementation.
- Indicator: Number of children under 5 dewormed.
Objective 3: Promote optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, and overall Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) best practices messages for caregivers of children under two including those with HIV.
- Indicator: Number of caregivers reached with IYCF messages.
- Indicator: Number of people reached with radio spots, interviews, novellas broadcast on nutrition and HIV.