World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

 WFP has 700 supplementary feeding centres across Mauritania, largely funded by ECHO, the Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission. The CRENAMs (Centres de Récupération Nutritionelles) measure and treat children for moderate acute malnutrition, also known as wasting, and measured by a low weight-for-height ratio. 

Mothers arrive at a CRENAM in Kaédi in the Gorgol region of southern Mauritania. 

Beneficiaries receive a number marked on a used phone card when they arrive at the centre. 

A mother braids her child's hair as they wait to receive their ration of supplementary feeding for the next 15 days, made up of 3.75kg of Super Cereal (fortified flour), 3.75 kg of oil and 300g of sugar.  

 This homemade weighing scale is used to weigh out the Super Cereal. 

 A WFP volunteer records the children's information in a logbook. Mothers have small booklets with the same information to use elsewhere when needed. 

To test for moderate acute malnutrition, the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is measured. A MUAC between 11 and 12.5 cm indicates moderate acute malnutrition. With WFP support, this clinic in Mauritania provides special nutritious food to 83 moderately acute malnourished children and 23 nursing mothers.