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OVERVIEW
A review of the health facility data and field reports for the period of January-March 2014 suggest critical/very critical prevalence of acute malnutrition persist in south central regions of Somalia (Table 1). Increasing trends in acute malnutrition are reported by health facilities in NW Agro pastorals in NW and Hawd livelihood in NW, NE and Central region as well as in Addun livelihood in NE and Central. Further delays in seasonal Gu rains will lead to deterioration in malnutrition situation in these regions. Increasing trends of acute malnutrition were also reported by health facilities in Juba pastorals and Agropastorals in Lower Shabelle.
Southern regions
The integrated nutrition situation analysis conducted by FSNAU and partners in January 2014 classified the nutrition situation in Bakool Pastoral, Bay agro-pastoral, Beletweyne District, Kismayo IDPs, Dolow IDPs and Dhobley IDPs as Critical. On the other hand, nutrition situation in North Gedo riverine, North Gedo Pastoral, North Gedo Agro-pastoral, Baidoa IDPs, and Middle Shabelle and Mataban district was classified as Serious. In Lower Shabelle, nutrition assessments could not be done due to prevailing insecurity and the available health facility data was insufficient to classify the nutrition situation in these areas1 .
Data from health facilities in January- March 2014 suggest increasing trends in prevalence of acute malnutrition in pastoral livelihoods of Juba and Agro pastorals in Lower Shabelle and limited humanitarian access suggest situation is likely to deteriorate.
Prevalence of acute malnutrition is critical but stable in Bay, Bakool, Juba Agro pastoral and Juba Riverine, Gedo riverine and Gedo Agro pastoral and in Banadir region. Serious nutrition situation but stable trends were recorded by health facilities among Gedo pastoral livelihood. This suggests that southern region remains highly vulnerable. However, the nutrition situation is expected to improve due to increased access to milk in all livelihoods following early onset of Gu rainfall which boosts livestock production in the region. Health Facility data from Middle and Lower Shabelle indicate a high (>20%) and fluctuating trends of acutely malnourished children across livelihoods in the two regions. In addition, field reports indicate a seasonal increase in cases of acute watery diarrhoea in these regions which is likely to aggravate nutrition situation.
It was observed that a number of MCH (Maternal and Child Health) centres in south region have closed due to insecurity/access.
This will impact the regional capacity to respond to malnutrition, prevent disease outbreaks by providing essential vaccinations and increase prevalence of severe acute malnutrition.
Northern and Central regions
The integrated nutrition situation analysis conducted by FSNAU and partners in January 2014 indicated a Serious nutrition situation across livelihoods in Northwest, Northeast and Central Somalia with exception of Sool plateau and Addun in Northeast/ Central regions livelihoods which were in an Alert level. A review of the health facility data and field reports indicate a generally stable nutrition situation across livelihoods in Northwest, Northeast and Central regions i.e. same levels as in Deyr 2013/14. Data from health facilities show critical levels of acute malnutrition and increasing trends in NW Agro pastoral (>15%). However, the increasing trend noted in the Agro-pastoral livelihood is linked to availability of supplies in feeding programme which attract more people to the facilities.
Hawd central recorded > 50 percent acute malnutrition because of closure of OTP site (Abudwaaq) by Save the Children and long distances families have to cover to reach existing OTP to access lifesaving care. Health facilities in Addun central also reported high levels of acute malnutrition (critical situation), but trends are stable.
Health facilities in West Golis/Guban, East Golis, and Sool Plateau, Nugal Valley in Northwest and Sool plateau and Nugal valley in North East reported alert levels of acute malnutrition (< 10%) and stable trends . Field reports indicate increased milk access in all livelihoods of northwest, and the situation may improve further following the onset of Gu’ rainfall. However, there are sporadic cases of diarrheal diseases, ARI and measles reported in Northwest regions especially in Sool regions which are likely to aggravate the nutrition situation in the affected livelihoods.