Meeting the challenges of micronutrient deficiencies in emergency-affected populations

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies occur frequently in refugee and displaced populations. These deficiency diseases include, in addition to the most common Fe and vitamin A deficiencies, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), pellagra (niacin and/or tryptophan deficiency) and beriberi (thiamin deficiency), which are not seen frequently in non-emergency-affected populations. The main causes of the outbreaks have been inadequate food rations given to populations dependent on food aid. There is no universal solution to the problem of micronutrient deficiencies, and not all interventions to prevent the deficiency diseases are feasible in every emergency setting. The preferred way of preventing these micronutrient deficiencies would be by securing dietary diversification through the provision of vegetables, fruit and pulses, which may not be a feasible strategy, especially in the initial phase of a relief operation. The one basic emergency strategy has been to include a fortified blended cereal in the ration of all food-aid-dependent populations (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees/World Food Programme, 1997). In situations where the emergency-affected population has access to markets, recommendations have been to increase the general ration to encourage the sale and/or barter of a portion of the ration in exchange for locally-available fruit and vegetables (World Health Organization, 1999a, b, 2000). Promotion of home gardens as well as promotion of local trading are recommended longer-term options aiming at the self-sufficiency of emergency-affected households. The provision of fortified blended foods in the general ration has successfully prevented and controlled micronutrient deficiencies in various emergency settings. However, the strategy of relying only on fortified blended foods to prevent micronutrient deficiencies should be reviewed in the light of recurring evidence that provision of adequate supplies of these foods is often problematic. Donor policies on the bartering or exchange of food aid should also be clarified. Furthermore, the establishment of micronutrient surveillance systems, including standardized micronutrient deficiency diagnostic criteria, are vital for the control of micronutrient deficiency diseases.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of stainless steel cooking pots in reducing iron-deficiency anaemia in food aid-dependent populations

“…Food rations provided to such populations are frequently deficient in Fe and other micronutrients (6,7) .…”

Anaemia, iron status and vitamin A deficiency among adolescent refugees in Kenya and Nepal

“…Distribution of fortified food in the general ration would better address nutrition problems in the entire population, including adolescents. Many food-dependent emergencyaffected populations have suffered widespread micronutrient deficiency outbreaks, including outbreaks of scurvy, pellagra and beriberi, because relief food often is deficient in many micronutrients 13 . However, fortified, blended food is substantially more expensive than bulk unfortified or unmilled cereal.…”

“…In addition, vitamin A deficiency has been seen in refugee, displaced and other populations whose usual food source has been disrupted 12 . Persons in these populations often suffer from insufficient food availability, and the food supplied by host governments and the humanitarian relief community frequently lacks sufficient quantities of many essential micronutrients 13 . As a result, outbreaks of various micronutrient deficiency conditions occur in many displaced populations who are dependent on food supplied by humanitarian agencies 13,14 .…”

“…Persons in these populations often suffer from insufficient food availability, and the food supplied by host governments and the humanitarian relief community frequently lacks sufficient quantities of many essential micronutrients 13 . As a result, outbreaks of various micronutrient deficiency conditions occur in many displaced populations who are dependent on food supplied by humanitarian agencies 13,14 . In both displaced populations and more stable situations, providing adolescents with additional iron and vitamin A may be difficult.…”

Determination of Vitamins A, C and D Status Using Serum Markers and a 24-Hour Dietary Recall among Maasai Women of Reproductive Age

“…In resourcepoor communities, malnutrition is exclusively attributable not only to insufficient food quantities, but also to poor nutritional quality of available foods [10]. Micronutrient deficiencies impact on morbidity and mortality of a population and therefore need to be addressed adequately and urgently [11].…”