Nutritional Needs for Members of Displaced Populations
Over time, members of populations displaced by natural disasters or war face increasing health problems and mortality rates associated with chronic and acute malnutrition. People in all age groups become susceptible to caloric, vitamin, and micronutrient deficiencies that can lead to diseases like beriberi and scurvy, general ill health and increased mortality rates. Humanitarian food aid sent to refugee camps and other displaced populations generally include pulses, cereals, and vegetable oil.
Basic caloric needs were defined by UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO in 2002 as 2100 kcal per day for persons with no underlying health conditions or stressors engaged in light physical activity in an ambient temperature of 20 degrees Celsius.
While basic caloric needs can be met by a general food ration containing these ingredients, a simple caloric intake is not sufficient for maintaining health over time or living and working in more extreme or active conditions. Poor nutrition can create a spiraling situation in which affected individuals are unable to function normally and work to contribute to their own recovery.
Common deficiencies include Vitamin A, iron, iodine, zinc, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c, riboflavin, and niacin. Many of these vitamins can be added to grains, oils, and salt as fortification. Some, like vitamin C, cannot because they break down when exposed to oxygen or heat. Foods that are rich in micronutrients can help in addressing some of these deficiencies. These include pulses, groundnuts, red palm oil, fruits, and vegetables. Vitamin supplements can also be given at distribution sites.
Other long-term interventions include helping affected populations establish gardens, livestock, and access to more local food sources. A combination of fortified rations and fresh foods can go a long way to improve nutrition over time and to increase the dignity and enjoyment of foods.
Problem: Populations displaced long-term by natural disasters and other emergencies tend to exhibit a high prevalence of acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency diseases, and mortality rates increase over time in groups defined as moderately or chronically malnourished. Food aid commodities are sometimes unacceptable for affected populations or are resold or exchanged instead of being consumed by intended persons.
Severity: Prevalence of malnutrition and disease in displaced populations remains high despite decades of study and attempts at interventions. This is partly due to the complexities involved and the fact that needs change based on multiple variables. There have been a few instances with lower rates of illness and mortality in the long term, characterized by the politicization of humanitarian aid. At particular risk are pregnant women, infants, the elderly and those suffering from diseases. Children may be separated from adult family members, complicating nutritional interventions. In some populations, the importance of breastfeeding or nutritional intake for young children is not well understood or culturally accepted.
Causes: Basic causes of malnutrition in populations affected by natural disasters include political and social climates that lead to blocking or redirecting of resources going to target populations, lack of resources in general (food volume is inadequate for the affected population), and logistical problems involved in distributing foods in affected regions. Foods sent to disaster-affected areas often do not include adequate micronutrients and vitamins needed to stave off deficiency diseases. There are difficulties with including some micronutrients due to their instability or susceptibility to breaking down when exposed to heat or air. Fortification of cereals is best done in the country where aid is received due to the instability of some vitamins, but infrastructure may be inadequate to achieve this.
Information was gathered from publications primarily set forth by the WHO and UN and scientific journal articles. Information gathering and research methods surrounding the prevalence and outcomes of malnutrition in populations affected by natural disasters are sparse and inexact. There is no central entity conducting research, and aid workers often gather information in the field. The methodology is not standardized, and there are problems with the data. Some groups suffering from the effects of malnutrition tend to be excluded from the results studies that are conducted. Children, specifically measurements of their growth rates over time, are often used as a proxy for a larger population, which is inexact at best. The methodology has also changed significantly over time.
Mekong Valley Foods gratefully acknowledges the research and analysis of Amy Wilder in compiling this report.
