Nutrition Cluster Initiative on Assessment Nutrition Cluster Initiative on Assessment in Emergencies including in Emergencies including

Infant Feeding in EmergenciesInfant Feeding in Emergencies

Bruce Cogill, Ph.D.

Global Cluster Coordinator

IFE MeetingBali Indonesia

11 March 2008

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Examples of Materials and Tools

SMART

HNTS

NICSCE-CRED

DHS

MIC

S

CNN

UNICEF WHO

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• Overview of Activities (Shelter Cluster)

– Preparation of baseline data – p-codes, populations, demographics, poverty, vulnerability, income level, livelihood information

– Collection of damage and disaster impact data – government sources, initial assessments, Red Cross

– Definition of needs – Strategic Advisory Group and Technical Working Groups

– Collection of agency reports – agency capacity analysis

– Collating all reports - creation of master spreadsheet

– Analysing data – through maps and descriptive statistics with reference to needs and damage – gap analysis, predicted coverage

– Dissemination of information – googlegroup, advocacy to donors, press releases, sitreps, meeting minutes

Examples from the Field: Yogyakarta

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• Geospatial maps• Descriptive

statistics and percentages

• Gap analysis, predicted coverage with reference to needs, damage and agency capacity

Emergency Shelter Gap Analysis: Yogyakarta 2006

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Health WASH and Nutrition Tri-Cluster Tool

Status• Field tested in six countries• Result of field tests positive• Always needs country- level adaptation• Finalized in April 2008

Next steps• To be endorsed by the three clusters by mid-08• To be translated into French and Spanish• To be widely disseminated and become part of

preparedness, perhaps adding additional clusters• To be housed and supported for future updates

Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA)

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IRA Questionnaire

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IRA Field Assessment Form -- Infant Feeding Questions

Overall Ranking: Nutrition (including infant & young child feeding) – Red Orange Green with problems identified with recommendations

Vulnerable groups: Estimated number of infants without mothers (or other longer term primary caregivers) and Information on the situation of these infants

Existing Capacities for infant and young child feeding programs: Organisation or person responsible with -- Normal / current activities -- Limitations to capacity or performance (lack of staff, materials and equipment, funds, access

Food Consumption: Foods (3) currently given to infants <1 year of age

Food Access: Commercial infant formula availability

Key Informant: Main concerns reported by the population (women and caregivers) and by health professionals related to infant and young child feeding

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WHO Core Assessment IFE Indicators

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Status• Project to be launched in 2008 based on IRA• Nutrition Cluster focused• Aims to create IM system linking existing

tools to identify and prioritise needs, gaps and monitor implementation

Next steps• To further develop, field test and pilot the

system/tool

Comprehensive Assessment Tool

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CCCs: Core Commitments for Children

Status• Started in 2007 with UN, Cluster and Donor support• Project is housed at WHO• Co-chaired by Nutrition Cluster and UNHCR• First Steering Committee Meeting held in Apr’07• Aims to improve information on humanitarian

conditions with focus on Nutrition and Mortality• Participants include UN, NGOs, donors

Next steps• Developing work plan and agree on piloting• Donor meeting planned for mid-2008

Health and Nutrition Tracking Service

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CCCs: Core Commitments for Children

Status• Started in 2007 with UN, Cluster and Donor support• Focused on Wasting and Mortality with some food

security information

• SMART methodology, software and training and guidance materials updating ongoing

Next steps• Rolling out• Review of additional information including infant

and young child nutrition

SMART Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transition

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Other sources: MICS, DHS, Government agencies, NGOs

• Multi Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Tool for household surveys

• Developed by UNICEF• Can help estimate key indicators, including MDGs• Normally used in development settings• Has also been used in conflict-affected countries

like Sudan• Useful for understanding “usual situation” along with

Government, DHS, NGO and other sources

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Observations on Information on IFE in Emergencies

• Information Management key • Need standardization on information needs

including collation and agreement on indicators, cutoffs, benchmarks, and information systems

• Assessments need regular reporting not only on key practices but also institutional performance

• Progress among concerned agencies on measurements and reporting

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Thank you