Nutrition

2015

In 2015, UNHCR will seek to improve the malnutrition levels among refugees in Koboko, Arua and Adjumani Districts.

According to the November 2014 Nutrition survey, the global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate showed a slight increase in the level of malnutrition - especially in Rhino camp and Adjumani  - with Adjumani standing at 9.6 per cent and Rhino camp at 7.6 per cent. The prevalence of stunting among children 6 -59 months stood at 8.9 per cent in Adjumani and 9 per cent in Rhino camp. Prevalence of iron deficiency among children stood at 55 per cent in Adjumani and 63 per cent in Rhino camp. Anaemia is most prevalent among the children in Rhino camp. This is attributed to inadequate child caring and feeding practices, low immunization/supplementation, low mosquito net coverage, and inadequate nutrition and health education in the communities.

In order to improve the malnutrition levels, there is need to:

  • Carry out community based management of acute malnutrition at a community level;
  • Provide blanket supplementary feeding programs for malnourished children, pregnant and lactating women;
  • Introduce practices that will prevent micronutrient deficiencies;
  • Introduce infant and young child feeding practices; 
  • Provide nutrition supplies and equipment;
  • Carry-out nutrition surveillance, surveys and joint assessments; 
  • Introduce Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities on nutrition related issues;
  • Build capacity of health workers on the management of acute malnutrition and advocate for partners to supply nutrition products and food from WFP.