Nutrition Response Progress September 2023 Vol.6

In August 2023, there was a slight increase in the number of children under five years old admitted for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) treatment, with 2,495 cases, compared to 2,472 in August 2022. Additionally, there was a 14.6% rise in the number of children admitted for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) treatment, increasing from 2,099 in August 2022 to 2,406 in August 2023. In September 2023, 258,179 under-five-year-olds were screened for acute malnutrition, with 0.7% found to be malnourished. Caregivers of young children received counselling on optimal feeding practises. A concerning trend of higher deaths in Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRUs) was noted, with some areas recording mortality rates above recommended thresholds. Issues like delayed care-seeking, diagnostic challenges, and drug availability were identified. UNICEF conducted mass screenings for malnutrition in emergency districts, revealing many unidentified cases of acute malnutrition. This report underscores the need for improving care and reducing mortality in NRUs and identifying more malnourished children for support.