Nutrition Assessment in Emergencies

INTRODUCTION

A nutrition assessment is an in-depth evaluation of both objective and subjective data related to an individual's food and nutrient intake, lifestyle, and medical history. Once the data on an individual is collected and organized, the practitioner can assess and evaluate the nutritional status of that person. This course covers basic concepts around the humanitarian system and reform, undernutrition and response in emergencies, individual assessment and micronutrients.

DURATION

5 Days

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1:

International Humanitarian System and Reform

•       Humanitarian coordination

•       Humanitarian reform, financing and the cluster approach

•       Humanitarian actors and roles

•       Overview of UNICEF History

•       UNICEF Core Commitments for Children (CCCs)

•       Standards and accountability

Module 2:

Basic concepts in Nutrition in Emergencies

•       Why care about nutrition?

•       Nutrition basics

•       Types of undernutrition: growth failure

•       Types of undernutrition: micronutrient deficiencies

•       Causes and most vulnerable to undernutrition

•       Response to nutrition in emergencies

•       Nutrition interventions

Module 3:

Measuring undernutrition in individuals

•       Anthropometry and its use

•       Measuring length and height

•       Measuring weight

•       Measuring Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)

•       Nutritional indices and reference standards

•       Reference Standards

•       Measuring infants, adults and adolescents

Module 4:

Micronutrients

•       Review of micronutrients

•       UNICEF CCCs on Micronutrients

•       Assessing micronutrient deficiencies in emergencies

•       Calculating nutrient content of rations

•       Preventing micronutrient deficiencies

•       Policies and guidelines on Micronutrients

Module 5:

Infant Feeding in Emergencies

•       Why IFE Matters

•       Infant feeding in the context of HIV

•       Key global initiatives on IFE

•       Common concerns about breastfeeding

•       Basic interventions

•       The importance of complementary feeding

•       Policy, coordination, training and communication

•       Technical interventions on IFE

•       Preventing and handling donations in emergencies

•       Handling milk and milk products in emergencies