SOMALI NUTRITION STRATEGY 2011 – 2013 - ReliefWeb

4.2 Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance
The Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) is managed by FAO and funded by USAID/
OFDA, the EC, SIDA, UNICEF and UNHCR. It has developed a very sophisticated system of
regular and exhaustive food security and nutrition assessments. Information is collected through
different surveillance systems including nutrition surveys, rapid Mid Upper Arm Circumference
(MUAC) assessments, passive health facility-based screening and at some times and places,
sentinel site surveillance. Data is analysed in the context of morbidity and food security indicators.
Bi monthly nutrition updates are produced and bi annual assessments of the food security and
nutrition situation are published. The food security and nutrition surveillance data is an important
tool providing regular situational analysis to inform and guide appropriate responses to expected
caseloads of acutely malnourished and emerging needs.
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Additional food security information is provided through the Famine Early Warning Systems
Network (FEWS NET). This is a USAID-funded activity that collaborates with international, regional
and national partners to provide timely and rigorous early warning and vulnerability information on
emerging and evolving food security issues. FEWSNET produces monthly food security updates,
regular food security outlooks and alerts, as well as briefings and support to contingency and
response planning efforts. More in-depth studies in areas such as livelihoods and markets provide
additional information to support analysis as well as program and policy development.
WFP undertakes regular monitoring of market prices and has conducted baseline livelihood
studies. Food security and vulnerability assessments have been conducted and published for
Puntland in April 2007 and Somaliland in August 2008. Smaller assessments have completed
in Mogadishu, Bossaso, El Wak in the South. A food security and vulnerability assessment is
planned for Central region in 2010.
4.3 Management of severe acute malnutrition
Outpatient therapeutic feeding
programmes (OTPs) for the treatment
of severe acute malnutrition are being
implemented across Somalia by
international NGOs and UNICEF in
partnership with local NGOs, according
to the “Operational Guidelines for the
Treatment of Acute Malnutrition in
Somalia” which were developed by
the nutrition cluster in 2005, taking into
account the challenging environment,
reduced supervision and limited
monitoring. Complicated cases are
referred to stabilisation centres (SCs) for
the initial period of treatment, although
Measuring MUAC, IDP camp, Jowhar, UNICEF Somalia,
Nick Ysenburg
distance and location of centres in opposing clan territories are often barriers to access. WFP
provides a caregiver and discharge rations in selected centres across Somalia. In 2009, UNICEF
aimed to reach 60% of children under five with severe acute malnutrition through technical support
and training of NGO partners and distribution of feeding supplies. At the time of writing there are
250 outpatient units for the ambulatory treatment of severe acute malnutrition in Somalia and
around 20 in patient stabilisation centres, all but four integrated into existing health structures.
This scale up of services for the management of acute malnutrition is impressive but gaps remain
in the geographical coverage of OTPs and SCs due to the insecure environment, fragmented
health system and availability of capable local partners. Map 1 on page 7 shows a map of the
current nutrition situation and interventions as of November 2010.