PAKISTAN / MALNUTRITION

UNICEF rapidly scaled up its nutrition interventions after a recent survey by the Sindh Department of Health in Pakistan identified critical levels of malnutrition among flood-affected children in Sindh Province. UNICEF

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:50
• Production Date: 1 July 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: HEALTH; NUTRITION; HEALTH SERVICES
• Geographic Subject: PAKISTAN
• MAMS Id: U110701d

Description

STORY: PAKISTAN / MALNUTRITION
TRT: 1.50
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: URDU/NATS

DATELINE: 20 APRIL 2011, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN

Shotlist

1. Various shots, flood waters
2. Various shots, village temporary shelter
3. Various shots, mobile health clinic
4. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Hajani Bibi, mother:
“Before coming to this centre, my child would not eat anything. I got this food for my child. I give him one sachet every day.”
5. Various shots, mothers at clinic
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dan Rohrmann, Pakistan Representative, UNICEF:
“The mobile team comes back here regularly to check on the situation of children to assess their nutritional situation. But it’s a bit of a bleak picture because 4 out of 15 children are malnourished so these are really tough conditions for those who have come back after the floods.”
7. Various shots, mobile health clinic

Storyline

UNICEF rapidly scaled up its nutrition interventions after a recent survey by the Sindh Department of Health identified critical levels of malnutrition among flood-affected children in Sindh Province.

The Global Acute Malnutrition rate indicates the number of moderately and severely malnourished children between the age of six months to under five. The survey found that rates were more than 21 percent in southern Sindh and 23 percent in the north -- well above the World Health Organization’s 15 percent emergency threshold which triggers a humanitarian response.

UNICEF-supported mobile health teams make regular community visits to identify malnourished children and pregnant women. They give medicines and vital nutritional support such as take-home supplies of ready-to-use therapeutic food, which is essential for malnourished children.

SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Hajani Bibi, Mother:
“Before coming to this centre, my child would not eat anything. I got this food for my child. I give him one sachet every day.”

The health of mothers is also closely monitored. They are given supplementary rations that last for one week and are encouraged to come back for more.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dan Rohrmann, Pakistan Representative, UNICEF:
“The mobile team comes back here regularly to check on the situation of children to assess their nutritional situation. But it’s a bit of a bleak picture because 4 out of 15 children are malnourished so these are really tough conditions for those who have come back after the floods.”

Child malnutrition is the single biggest contributor to under-five mortality, increasing the risk of infections and slowing recovery from illness.