Community based management of acute malnutrition (Strengthen early identification, referral and follow-up for children with acute malnutrition)

Project details

University of Malawi, Human Ecology Department partnered with UNICEF, for Emergency Nutrition Screening Project in Mulanje. The purpose was to support Mulanje District Council to conduct nutrition screening in Mulanje in relation to the emergencies that happened due to cyclones in the months of January and February, 2022. The moderate Tropical storm ANA made a landfall on the Mozambique coast around mid-day of Monday 24th January 2022 and later headed for southern Malawi. The likely impacts of the storm were torrential rains, very strong winds, floods and falling of trees and power lines, as well as some structural damage. Mulanje has a total population of 733,068 with 117,291 Under 5 Children and 7,331 pregnant women (NSO report). It has 23 health facilities, 18 for Government,4 for CHAM and 1 for Tea Estate. The overall impact of the storm on nutrition, whether directly or indirectly is huge, considering that the affected people lost nearly all their food commodities in their homes and fields. In response to the situation with funding from UNICEF through University of Malawi, Mulanje District Council conducted Nutrition Screening in the most affected T/As of Nkanda and Juma targeting six health facilities namely, Chambe, Kambenje, Nkomaula, Namphungo, Namulenga and Thuchira. The nutrition screening was conducted in two rounds from 28th March-1st April, 2022 (First Round) and 5th -9th May, 2022 (Second Round).