OVERVIEW OF NUTRITION SITUATION ANALYSIS IN EMERGENCIES

1. OVERVIEW OF NUTRITION SITUATION ANALYSIS IN EMERGENCIES Session 8

2. Introduction Aim of Nutrition in Emergencies is to reduce mortality associated with malnutrition and improve the nutrition status of the affected population and prevent their situation from deteriorating

3. Nutrition Situation Analysis • Should ultimately lead to action • Uses the Triple A approach to Development: • Assessment of the situation • Analysis • Action (Response)

4. 1. Assessment of the Situation 1 Requirements: • Be aware of the existence of a problem • Be committed to solving it • Clarify the understanding of problem • Identifying and understanding immediate, underlying and basic causes of the problem

5. Assessment of the Situation 2 AIMS: Identify • Areas that are affected (Where) • Population groups affected (Who) • Extent of problem and # of people at risk (Magnitude) • Major needs of the people • Available/potential resources that could be utilized to solve problem

6. Assessment of the Situation 3 Methods are of three types: 1. Initial assessment – review existing information or knowledge and may involve • Collection of background information ( • Crop assessments • lifestyle data • data from previous assessments • Use of Early Warning Systems – use information such as: • Rainfall and Agricultural data • Food reserves data and Market information data • Mortality and malnutrition data • Migration patterns and other coping strategies information

7. Assessment of the Situation 4 2. Rapid Assessment – give preliminary understanding of the situation within a short time 3. Nutrition surveys – focus on more objective measurements such as food consumption, malnutrition rates etc. • Methods depend on the information needed and objectives of the assessment • Assessment should be done with involvement of local community

8. 2. Analysis Aims: Identify • Causes of the problem • Resources available and their accessibility • Priorities of the local community Analysis to understand findings can go along with assessment.

9. 3. Action (Response) • Assessment and analysis identify nutritional problems and the level in society the causes are to be found and should be addressed • Actions/responses depend on assessment and analysis • Usually considered in all areas including health, water, livestock and agriculture

10. For meaningful assessment, analysis and action, it is important to understand that: “The causes of malnutrition and the concept of food security are broad and complex/multi-sectoral”

11. Introduction to the Concept of Food Security 1 Definition: • Everyone has at all times, access to and control over sufficient quantities of good quality food for an active, healthy life

13. Concept of Food Security 2 • Is broad and complex concept determined by interaction of a range of agro-physical, Socio-economic and biological factors – no single direct measure of food security • Conceptual framework for food in-security

14. Concept of Food Security 3 • Thus, assessment of food insecurity (at hh level) needs to measure not only the lack of access, availability and utilization or use of food, but also perceptions on what constitutes: • Insufficiency determine the use • Unacceptable of available/ • Uncertainty or unsustainable accessible food

15. Main Steps in Nutrition Situation Analysis in Emergencies 1 • Decide the information needed • Assess severity of situation • Assess underlying causes of problems • Identify people most affected etc. • Select the methods of collecting the information • Initial assessment • Rapid assessment • Nutrition surveys • Combine

16. Main Steps in Nutrition Situation Analysis in Emergencies 2 • Plan your assessment and organize your team • Time scales • The team • Training • Recording information • Resources needed • Logistics • Analyze and interpret findings • Present/Disseminate and/or Respond Thank you