United Nations System
Standing Committee on Nutrition

Highland cropping areas have reported a favourable harvest and prices have fallen in these areas. However, the rainy season has brought only modest improvements in marginal agricultural areas, where the harvest was poor. The situation is also still precarious in most of the pastoral areas, with high prevalence of acute malnutrition recorded in Mandera and Isiolo districts.

Somalia—Food insecurity persists—Somalia has suffered an upsurge in violence for some months, the Islamic Courts taking the control of Mogadishu, and Ethiopian troops backing the Transitional Federal Government. Food insecurity persists and the situation has deteriorated in Bakool, Hiran and parts of Central region according to the last post-Gu assessment. About 1.4 million people in the country, of whom 1.1 million are in the south, face conditions of humanitarian emergency or acute food and livelihood crises.

Sudan—Darfur still at high risk—Insecurity has increased in recent months. Food distribution has decreased since May 2006. Only 50% of the full ration was distributed in May, and about 85% in June due to a shortage of funding. Moreover, insecurity prevented distributions to 290,000 in June and 470,000 in July. Nutrition surveys conducted during May and August, during the hungry season, showed high levels of acute malnutrition. When data were available, comparisons showed stable situations compared to last year.

Liberia—Contrasted situations— A country-wide nutrition and food security survey was conducted in rural and semi-rural population groups in Liberia. The prevalence of wasting was average at national level, and varied from acceptable in Gbarpolu to precarious in Grand Bassa, Gran Gedeh and River Cess. Based on food consumption and food access, 11% of the households were considered food insecure and 40% highly vulnerable to food insecurity. They were mostly concentrated in Lofa, Gran Kru, River Gee, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Nimba and Sinoe counties.

Niger—Increase in food insecurity during the lean season— About 3.8 m people have been estimated to be food insecure during this year’s hunger-gap season, of whom 1.8 m face severe food insecurity. The areas the most affected are Keita, Illela, Tchintabaraden, Loga, Bouza, Doutchi, Tera, Ouallam and Gaya in Dosso, Tahoua and Tillaberi regions. The plan of action to address the needs of these 1.8 m people includes targeted free-food distribution, discharge rations for families of children admitted to feeding centres, and cereal banks. Nutrition surveys conducted in Maradi and Tahoua regions in March-April and May (onset of the hunger-gap season) showed poor to serious nutrition situations.

Afghanistan—Drought hampers food security — The security situation has remained volatile. Moreover, Afghanistan did not have adequate rainfall in April/May. Wheat production is estimated to be 3.71 m MT against 4.27 m MT last year. Rain-fed agro-ecological zones are the most affected. An appeal launched by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United Nations in July estimated that 2.5 m people will be affected by the drought, in addition to the 6.5 m people seasonally or chronically food insecure.

Lebanon—Towards reconstruction— A major military operation was launched by Israel in Lebanon following the kidnapping of 2 Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah in mid-July. The war lasted 34 days and ended with a ceasefire coming into effect on the 14th of August.
The areas the hardest hit were also the areas with the highest poverty indicators. According to a WFP assessment, food availability was more of a problem during the war than access to food, but only led to a reduction in consumers' choice of products, without threatening nutritional status. Social network and remittances will be one of the most important factors for people's ability to recover. Overall, donor response has been generous.

Risk Factors affecting Nutrition in Selected Situations

Situations in the table below are classed into five categories relating to prevalence and or risk of malnutrition (I—very high risk/prevalence, II—high risk/prevalence, III—moderate risk/prevalence, IV—not at elevated risk/prevalence, V-unknown risk/prevalence; for further explanation see section "Indicators and classification" at the end of the report).

The prevalence/risk is indirectly affected by both the underlying causes of malnutrition, relating to food security, public health environment and social environment, and the constraints limiting humanitarian response.

These categories are summations of the causes of malnutrition and the humanitarian response, but should not be used in isolation to prescribe the necessary response.

J Adequate K Mixed L Inadequate

Greater Horn of Africa

Ethiopia

More than 100,000 people have been affected by floods in most regions of Ethiopia due to unusually intense and continued rainfall since late July 2006 (OCHA, 21/08/06) (see map). Relief operations are underway. An outbreak of violence in Guji and Borena zones, Oromya region at the end of May 2006 has displaced at least 100,000 people (OXFAM, 06/07/06).

The Belg harvest has improved the food security situation in most parts of Somalia, while poor rains in Somali region continue to limit food security prospects towards the end of the year (FEWS, 08/06). About 1.6 m people are estimated to require assistance in the region throughout 2006, representing the major part of the 2 million people in need of assistance nationwide.

Contrasted situation in SNPPR

Several nutrition surveys were conducted in SNPPR following early warnings of a deteriorating food security (ENCU, 30/06/06). While the situation was found to be under control in Boricha and Shebedino districts, Silti, Sankura, Hulla, Mareko, Meskan and Kedida Gamela districts showed poor nutrition and food security conditions (figure 1). However, mortality rates were below emergency thresholds.

Acceptable situation in Oromya region

Nutrition surveys conducted in Bosset district, East Shewa zone and Kombolcha district, East Haraghe zone showed a prevalence of malnutrition considered "typical", with 6.3% (4.4-9.0) acute malnutrition including 0.4% (0.2-1.6) severe and 4.8% (3.4-6.2) acute malnutrition including 1.2% (0.5-1.9) severe in Kombolcha and Bosset, respectively (ENCU, 30/06/06).

Flood affected areas in Ethiopia as of August 23, 2006 (WFP)

Figure 1 Results of surveys, Ethiopia (ENCU, 30/06/06)

Kenya

Highland cropping areas have reported a favourable harvest and prices have fallen in these areas. However, the rainy season has brought only modest improvements in marginal agricultural areas, where the harvest was poor (FEWS, 09/08/06). The situation is also still precarious in most of the pastoral areas.

Critical situations in Mandera and Isiolo districts

Nutrition surveys conducted in Mandera district, which is mostly pastoralist, in March 2006 showed critical nutrition situations (AAH-US, 03/06; MSF-B, 03/06) (figure 2). Mortality rates were under control except in the south-eastern part of the district where they were above emergency thresholds (figure 2). The main causes of deaths were diarrhoea and fever. The situation was also critical in Merti and Sericho divisions of Isiolo district, according to a survey conducted in May 2006 (SC-UK, 05/06) (figure 2). The prevalence of acute malnutrition recorded in this survey was significantly higher than in March 2005 in a survey including Oldornyiro division in addition to the two divisions surveyed in 2006. Moreover, a significant number of women were found malnourished according to MUAC measurements (table 1). These mostly pastoralist divisions were the areas of the district the hardest hit by the drought, and inhabitants regard this year’s drought as the worst since 1996. People interviewed during the survey reported that adults were only eating one or two meals a day, compared to three in 2003, which they considered as a particularly "good" year. Children were fed only two to three times a day compared to six to eight times in 2003. This was the result of a lack of food but also of an increased demand on mothers to fetch water and fodder for sick animals. Close to 90% of the families interviewed were reliant on general food distributions, and families reported a shortage of milk and meat, compared to 2003.

Figure II Results of surveys, Kenya (AAH-US, 03/06; MSF-B, 03/06; SC-UK, 05/06 )

Table 1 Women nutritional status, Isiolo district (SC-UK, 05/06)

Recommendations

From the SC-UK survey in Isiolo district:

Short term (food and nutrition):

Improve general food distribution by adding pulses and oil to the food basket
Update register of food distribution beneficiaries taking into account recent livestock losses
Implement blanket supplementary food distribution for all under-five children, pregnant and lactating women in the next three months
Initiate treatment of severe malnutrition
Continue supplementary feeding at least until December 2006 and include pregnant and lactating women in the programme.

Long term:

Several actions are proposed to sustain livelihoods, such as an increase in food sources and improved management and selling of livestock.

Somalia

Somalia has suffered an upsurge in violence for some months, the Islamic Courts taking the control of Mogadishu, and Ethiopian troops backing the Transitional Federal Government (ICG, 10/08/06).

Food insecurity persists and the situation has deteriorated in Bakool, Hiran and parts of Central region according to the last post-Gu assessment (FSAU, 15/08/06). The Gu cereal harvest in the south is the third consecutive one below normal production, and is about 70% of the post-war average. Lower and Middle Juba and Hiran experienced almost complete crop failure. About 1.4 million people in the country, of whom 1.1 million are in the south, face conditions of humanitarian emergency or acute food and livelihood crises (see map).

Due to insecurity and drought, about 18,000 people have moved to refugee camps in Kenya since the beginning of the year (UNHCR, 11/08/06).

A nutrition survey conducted in Dinsor district, Bay region revealed a prevalence of acute malnutrition of 19.8% (14.7-25.6) including 3.2% (1.7-5.3) severe malnutrition. Mortality rates were below emergency threshold (FSAU/N, 07/06).

On the other hand, nutrition surveys in Huddur town, Bakool region (Epicentre/MSF-B, 06/06) and Haud of Togdheer, Togdheer region (FSAU/N, 07/06) showed average nutrition situations with a prevalence of acute malnutrition of 9.3 (7.1-12.1) and 9.9% (8.1-12.1) in Huddur and Haud of Togdheer, respectively. Mortality rates were under control.

Somalia food security analysis: post-Gu 2006 projection July 2006 through December 2006 (FSAU, 15/08/06)

Sudan

Darfur

Insecurity has increased in recent months, partly due to the dispute between Darfurian armed groups over the signature of a peace-agreement by the largest rebel group in May 2006 (AI, 17/08/06). North Darfur and the Chadian borders have been the most affected. Attacks on humanitarian workers have also been on the rise (UNNews, 18/08/05).

Food distribution has decreased since May 2006. Only 50% of the full ration was distributed in May, and about 85% in June due to shortage of funding (WFP, 16/08/06). Moreover, insecurity prevented food distributions to 290,000 people in June and 470,000 in July.

Nutrition surveys conducted between May and August, during the hungry season, showed high levels of acute malnutrition (figure 3). When data were available, comparisons showed stable situations compared to last year (UNICEF, 06/06).

Admissions to feeding centres were on the rise, as expected at this time of year. Due to NGOs phasing out, the number of feeding centres was only one third of last year.

Figure III Results of surveys, Darfur, Sudan (ACF-F, 08/06; MSF-B, 0506; UNICEF, 06/06; UNICEF, 08/06)

Southern Sudan

The rains have been generally good in Southern Sudan this year (FEWS, 07/06). It is also thought that people will cope better with the hungry season this year than in previous years because of improved access to markets, availability of Government of Southern Sudan's subsidised, low-cost sorghum, timely food-aid distributions and increased availability of seasonal agricultural employment.

Three surveys conducted in Jongley state in June/July showed worrying nutrition situations (table 2).The situation was especially critical in Atar/Khorfulus county, where the population was experiencing food insecurity due to the poor harvest in 2005 as well as an outbreak of cholera (AAH-US, 05/06).

Surveys were also conducted in Bentiu and Rob Kona towns in February 2006 (ACF-F, 02/06). They showed high levels of acute malnutrition, which were in the same range as in previous years (table 2) (figure 4). Mortality rates were under control. General food distribution for residents stopped in August 2005 and has only continued for returnees. However, it seems that only 16 of the 39 returnee families interviewed during the survey received a general ration in January/February. The security in the area has only significantly improved since the beginning of the year, and food security is still poor. Food security programmes need to be developed.

Nutrition surveys conducted in Juba town and surroundings showed poor nutrition situations (table 2), which have remained within the same range over the past few years (ACF-F, 05/06). This is despite the change in the status of the Juba area, from a former enclave controlled by the government of Sudan to the capital of Southern Sudan, since the signature of the Peace Agreement in January 2005.

Table 2 Results of surveys in Southern Sudan (AAH-US, 05/06; AAH-US, 07/06; AAH-US, 07/06; ACF-F, 02/06; ACF-F, 05/06)

Figure IV Prevalence of acute malnutrition, Bentiu and Rob Kona towns, Sudan

South Kordofan

A nutrition survey was conducted in South Kordofan and 3 administrative units of Abyei (Abyei, El Mugad and El Meram) in January/February, during the post-harvest season (WFP/joint, 02/06). The majority of the families included in the survey were resident, while 6% were IDPs and 8% were returnees. The results showed a precarious nutrition situation with a prevalence of acute malnutrition of 13.4% (10.9-15.9), including 3.1% severe malnutrition (1.5-4.7). On the other hand, only 3.3% of the women surveyed (pregnant and non-pregnant) had a MUAC < 21 cm.

Exclusive breastfeeding was only 29.9% and mean age of introduction of complementary food was 3.8 months. Mortality rates were under control: CMR=0.37 death/10,000/day (0.20-0.54) and UFMR=0.49 death/10,000/day (0.15-0.83). About 60% of the households had access to safe drinking water and 30% had access to latrines. Returnees were the most at risk of food insecurity, followed by displaced people, while residents were better-off.

West Africa

Liberia

A country-wide nutrition and food security survey was conducted in rural and semi-rural population groups in Liberia (representing about 65% of the total population) between February and June 2006 (GoL/joint, 09/06). The survey design was such that representative data at county and national levels were obtained. At national level, only 14% of the households surveyed had never been displaced. Among the others, 7% were still displaced people or refugees, 57% had returned to their home before 2005 and 20% had returned afterwards.

The prevalence of wasting (oedema not reported) was average at national level, and varied from acceptable in Gbarpolu to precarious in Grand Bassa, Gran Gedeh and River Cess (figure 5). Country-wide prevalence of stunting was 39.2%. Compared to the MICS survey conducted in 1999/2000, rates of wasting and stunting are within the same range. Grand Cape Mount, Lofa and Margibi counties reported CMR and U5 MR above 1/10,000/day.

Figure 5 Prevalence of wasting, Liberia (GoL/joint, 09/06)

Based on food consumption and food access, 11% of the households were considered food insecure and 40% highly vulnerable to food insecurity. They were mostly concentrated in Lofa, Gran Kru, River Gee, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Nimba and Sinoe counties, but pockets of food insecurity may also exist in other counties. Only 9% were considered food secure, and 41% to have moderate risk of food insecurity.

Limitations to achieving food security were considered to be low agricultural production capacity due to lack of seeds and tools and knowledge on adequate processing techniques, and limited income-generation opportunities which hampered access to food. The most food insecure families were those who relied mostly on palm oil production, hunting and contract work, especially if they did not engage in crop production, while cash and food crop farmers were less likely to be affected by food insecurity. Employees and petty traders were also part of the better-off and charcoal producers, rubber tapers, palm oil and food crop producers, households depending on fishing and skilled labourers formed the medium group. People who recently returned were more vulnerable to food insecurity.

Child feeding practices and the public health environment were also far from acceptable. Overall, only 32% of the families had access to a protected source of water, with less than 20% in Gran Bassa, Gran Kru, Sinoe, River Gee and Gbarpolu, and only a quarter had access to latrines. About 90% of households had to walk on average nearly 3 hours to reach a health facility. Most of them (65%) were managed by humanitarian agencies, while the government only manages 14%. Vitamin A distribution coverage was 71%. Only 20% of the children were exclusively breast fed at the age of 4-6 months. The mean of breast feeding stoppage was 15 months.

Recommendations

From the Government of Liberia/joint food security and nutrition survey:

Augment food availability through measurable increase in sustainable production and productivity of major food crops, fisheries, short-cycle livestock, improved crop diversity, improved storage and conservation, and improved marketing and acquisition of food and inputs for agricultural production.
Increase people’s economic access to food through income-diversification in the agriculture and non-agricultural sector.
Improve biological utilization by improving access to basic health care services, and access to clean water and sanitation combined with awareness campaigns on infant and young child feeding practices, food preparation, dietary diversity, micronutrients and HIV/AIDS.
In the short-term, improve people’s access to food through food-for-work activities, supporting mother-and-child health through supplementary feeding programmes; and supporting education through food-for-education activities.
Enhance the institutional capacity to manage national and local development interventions and resources devoted to the improvement of food security and nutrition – including the development of an institutional policy framework and food security monitoring system.

Niger

About 3.8 m people have been estimated to be food insecure during this year’s hunger-gap season, of whom 1.8 m face severe food insecurity (WFP, 14/08/06). The areas the most affected are Keita, Illela, Tchintabaraden, Loga, Bouza, Doutchi, Tera, Ouallam and Gaya in Dosso, Tahoua and Tillaberi regions. The plan of action to address the needs of these 1.8 m people includes targeted free-food distribution, discharge rations for families of children admitted to feeding centres, and cereal banks. In addition blanket supplementary food distributions are being implemented for children less than three years old in the most remote areas of Taouha, Zinder and Maradi regions. The government of Niger has also announced that access to health care will be free for children under five (Liberation, 07/07/06). As usual at this time of year, admissions to the 850 feeding centres throughout the country are on the rise (FEWS, 17/08/06).

Floods at the end of August have displaced about 17,000 people, especially in Agadez and the south of the country (IRIN, 30/08/06).

Nutrition surveys conducted in Maradi and Tahoua regions in March-April and May (onset of the hunger-gap season) showed poor to serious nutrition situations (figure 6) (ACH-S, 04/06; MSF-S, 05/06). The situation in pastoral areas of Tahoua and Maradi was especially worrying. March-April represents the lean season for pastorals, while the lean season has not yet begun for the agricultural and agro-pastoral. This might explain the differences between the groups. Compared to the surveys conducted among the same groups in October 2005, the situation has improved significantly in agricultural and agro-pastoral zones but has remained within the same range in pastoral areas (see NICS 8). It is difficult to know if this improvement is due to a recovery in food security or only reflects seasonal variations, as the October survey was done at the end of the lean season for agricultural and agro-pastoral areas. Under-five mortality rates were above alert thresholds in three of the four surveys (figure 6).

Figure 6 Prevalence of acute malnutrition and mortality rates, Maradi and Tahoua regions, Niger (ACH-S, 04/06; MSF-S, 05/06)

Central Africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo

At the end of July elections were held for the first time in more than 40 years in DRC. Following the release of the preliminary results of the first round of the presidential elections showing that Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Memba were the two candidates to go on to the second round, fighting between the two candidates’ guards erupted at the end of August in Kinshasa, leading to at least 23 deaths (AFP, 03/09/06).

The fate of about 100,000 displaced people in the territory of Irumu, in Ituri, has raised concerns, especially in Gety where 40,000 displaced people are gathered (OCHA, 04/08/06). Although some food distributions have been conducted, they were insufficient to ensure the food security of the displaced. Moreover, a cholera outbreak has been reported. The provision of humanitarian aid is also made difficult by the insecurity in the region (IRIN, 01/09/06).

A nutrition survey conducted during the hunger-gap season in Ikela health zone, Equateur province, showed a poor nutrition situation with a prevalence of acute malnutrition of 13.6% (10.7-17.2) including 2.7% (0.5-4.8) severe acute malnutrition (AAH-US, 06/06). Mortality rates were above alert thresholds: CMR = 1.34 deaths/10,000/day and under-five MR=3.41 deaths/10,000/day.

Uganda

Following talks between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the government of Uganda, which began early August in Juba, Sudan, a cessation of hostilities has been agreed while peace talks will continue until a final peace agreement is reached (DPA, 01/09/06). Due to improved security conditions, access to displaced populations in Northern Uganda has improved. Fewer children were also reported to commute to towns at night in fear of insecurity in rural areas (IDMC, 31/08/06).

Nutrition surveys conducted in IDP camps in Lira, Gulu and Apac districts in Northern Uganda showed situations which were not critical (AAH-US, 04/06; AAH-US, 05/06; AAH-US, 07/06) (figure 7) and have remained within the same range for the past few years. Mortality rates were also under control (figure 7).

Figure 7 Prevalence of acute malnutrition and mortality rates in IDP camps, Uganda (AAH-US, 04/06; AAH-US, 05/06; AAH-US, 07/06)

Southern Africa

Malawi

In contrast to last year’s poor harvest, this year’s maize production is estimated to be the largest since 2000 and to exceed the national requirement (MVAC, 06/06). However, part of the country has experienced a dry spell and floods, and about 833,000 people are estimated to be at risk of food insecurity. Nutrition surveys, conducted in April at harvest time in areas considered the most food insecure in 3 livelihood zones, showed nutrition situations that were overall not critical. However, a high prevalence of oedema was recorded (Bunda College of Agriculture/UNICEF, 04/06) (figure 8). Mortality rates were also under control (figure 8).

Figure 8 Prevalence of acute malnutrition and mortality rates, Malawi (BCA/UNICEF, 04/06)

Asia

Afghanistan

The security situation has remained volatile (BAAG, 31/08/06). Moreover, Afghanistan did not have adequate rainfall in April/May (IRA/UN, 07/06). Wheat production is estimated to be 3.71 m MT against 4.27 m MT last year. Rain-fed agro-ecological zones are the most affected. An appeal launched by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United Nations in July estimated that 2.5 m people will be affected by the drought, in addition to the 6.5 m people seasonally or chronically food insecure. As well as the 3.5 m people WFP already assists, 1.7 m people may need assistance each month until the next harvest. The appeal includes a call for 67,000 MT of cereals, 14,500 MT of other commodities, 4,500 MT of seeds, 6,750 MT of fertilizer, as well as water supplies, communicable diseases control and nutritional interventions.

Pakistan

Three nutrition surveys were conducted in Battagram sub-district, Battagram district and Balakot and Manshera sub-districts in Manshera district in May 2006 (AAH-US, 05/06). The results showed an average nutrition situation (figure 9), comparable to the results of the survey conducted in December 2005 in Manshera district (see NICS 9). Mortality rates were under control (figure 9). AAH-US has closed its feeding centres due to low attendance.

Figure 9 Prevalence of acute malnutrition and mortality rates, Pakistan (AAH/US, 05/06)

Middle East

Lebanon

A major military operation was launched by Israel in Lebanon following the kidnapping of 2 Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah in mid-July (SDC, 08/09/06). The war lasted 34 days and ended with a ceasefire coming into effect on the 14th of August. According to the Lebanese authorities, 1,187 people were killed and 4,092 injured (OCHA, 01/09/06). One hundred and sixty-one Israelis, 114 of them soldiers, were also killed (BBCNews, 31/08/06). The war was characterized by Israeli army air strikes, especially in South Lebanon and southern suburbs of Beirut, strongholds of Hezbollah, and by rockets fired onto Northern Israel by Hezbollah (BBCNews, 31/08/06). There was major damage in Lebanon, including about 15,000 houses, 900 factories and commercial buildings, 78 bridges and 630 km of roads. About 900,000 Lebanese were displaced during the war as well as 50,000 Israelis.

A UN resolution voted in on the 11th of August authorised an increase in the strength of UNIFIL to 15,000 soldiers. The Lebanese army would deploy in south Lebanon and Israeli army would withdraw (UNIFIL, 13/09/06; UNNews, 12/09/06). The blockade imposed by Israel on Lebanon was lifted in mid-September (OCHA, 12/05/06).

Most of the families who fled during the conflict have returned. As of mid-September, it was estimated that about 15,000 people were still residing in neighbouring countries (HRC, 12/09/06); about 800 people were in schools in Lebanon and about 200,000 people were sheltered in religious buildings or with host families (OCHA, 12/09/06).

Food security

The areas the hardest hit were also the areas with the highest poverty indicators. According to a WFP assessment, food availability was more of a problem during the war than access to food, but only led to a reduction in consumers' choice of products (WFP, 09/06), without threatening nutritional status. The most affected population was estimated to be daily wage labourers and people working in the coastal fishing and agricultural sectors, due to loss of income. Social network and remittances will be one of the most important factors for people's ability to recover. WFP plans to continue delivery of food assistance to 350,000 people at least until the end of October. Humanitarian assistance during the following weeks will help people to return to self-sufficiency. Overall, donor response has been generous.

Health

There were no major outbreaks of diseases (IASC/WHO, 01/09/06). At the beginning of September, about 25% of the health facilities were not functioning but availability of essential drugs was met.

Abbreviations and acronyms

AAH-US	Action Against Hunger USA
ACF-F	Action Contre la Faim France
ACH-S	Action Contra El Hambre Spain
AFP	Agence France Presse
AI	Amnesty International
BAAG	British Agencies Aghanistan Group
BMI	Body Mass Index
CMR	Crude Mortality Rate
< 5 MR	Under-five Mortality Rate
DPA	Deutsche Presse Agentur
ENCU	Emergency Nutrition Coordination Unit
FSAU	Food Security Analysis Unit for Somalia
GoL	Government of Liberia
HRC	Higher Relief Commission
ICG	International Crisis Group
ICRC	International Committee of the Red Cross
IDMC	International Displacement Monitoring Centre
IDP	Internally Displaced Person
IRA	Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
IRIN	International Regional Information Network
MOH	Ministry of Health
MSF-B	Médecins sans frontières - Belgique
MSF-H	Médecins sans frontières - Holland
MSF-S	Médecins sans frontières - Spain
MUAC	Mid-upper arm circumference
NGO	Non-governmental Organisation
OCHA	Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance
RI	Refugees International
SC-UK	Save the Children-United Kingdom
SDC	Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
UNHCR	United Nations High Commission on Refugees
UNICEF	United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
UNIFIL	United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
WFP	World Food Programme

References