Mali, October 2012

Severe drought caused by failure and uneven distribution of rainfall and prolonged dry spells in 2011 led to a delayed planting season, resulting in a sharp drop in agricultural production and reduced food availability.  About 4.6 million people are currently estimated to be at risk of food insecurity in Mali due to the food and nutritional crisis and the crisis in the North.  Internally displaced persons (IDPs), due to conflict, are estimated at 173,950 across the country (Protection Cluster, August 2012) and Malians having taken refuge in neighbouring countries are estimated at 261,624 (OCHA bulletin 14 August). WFP is intervening in the eight regions of Mali with the implementation of food assistance, nutritional and resilience building interventions.

Ambidedi (about 50 km from Kayes)

WFP in Mali aims to reach 229,250 beneficiaries trough prevention of moderate acute malnutrition for children 6-23 months and for pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and 93,220 beneficiaries for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition children 6-59 months and PLW.

The programme delivers supplementary food depending on different the nurtirional status:

Prevention of moderate acute malnutrition for children 6-23 months. Beneficiary children receive satchets of Plumpy’Sup (46g/day) for 250 kcal/pers/day.

Prevention of moderate acute malnutrition for pregnant and lactating women. Beneficiary women receive oil (20g/day) and supercereal (250/day for ) for 1,200 kcal/pers/day.

Treatment of moderate acute malnutrition for children 6-59 months. Beneficiary children receive Plumpy’Sup (92g/day) for 500 kcal/pers/day.

Treatment of moderate acute malnutrition for pregnant and lactating women. Beneficiary women receive oil (20g/day) and supercereal (250/day) for 1,200 kcal/pers/day.

In addition to the prevention programmes WFP is also implementing Food For Work projects aimed and repairing infrastructure such as roads and bridges as well as re-foresting barren lands, re-claiming land for agriculture and constructing dams for the conservation of water for crops and livestock.

Photographs: WFP/Rein Skullerud

• Left:

Pakistan, Bufu Jamali village, 26 February 2012

Food-for-work is the provision of general rations in exchange for a work effort that benefits individual households as well as the community at large. The purpose of this activity is to meet the consumption needs of participants and/or their households during recovery situations while they rebuild their damaged or lost assets.

Food for Work Programme in Makhan Wala region, Muzaffargarh.

• Center:

Pakistan, Layyah District, 29 February 2012

WFP is taking practical steps to stabilise and improve the nutritional and food security levels of the most affected and vulnerable population in the country. Locally produced products called ‘Wawa Mum’ and ‘Acha Mum’ are being used in the community based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programme, in key districts across the country. WFP has currently helped treat nearly half a million malnourished children under this programme, which has seen high recovery rates.

CMAM House visits in Layyah District, Punjab Province.

• Right:

Pakistan, Bufu Jamali village, 28 February 2012

WFP is taking practical steps to stabilise and improve the nutritional and food security levels of the most affected and vulnerable population in the country. Locally produced products called ‘Wawa Mum’ and ‘Acha Mum’ are being used in the community based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programme, in key districts across the country. WFP has currently helped treat nearly half a million malnourished children under this programme, which has seen high recovery rates.

CMAM Project in Aliwala region, Muzaffargarh.

All photographs: WFP/Liz Loh-Taylor