World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

Children in the most heavily typhoon-affected areas are screened by Health Workers and Nutrition Scholars using the mid-upper arm circumference tape to identify the malnourished.

The screening of children is done regularly at every barangay (village), to monitor changes in their nutritional status. Based on the screening, children are then referred for proper treatment.

At the health station, children's weight and height are measured to confirm their nutritional status, based on weight-for-height growth standards.

WFP’s nutrition partners explain to beneficiaries how and in what quantities to use the ready-to-use food supplements. They are easy to distribute since they require no refrigeration or preparation.

This young mother is happy to receive the ready to use supplementary food that helps treat her moderately malnourished child. Mother and child have to return regularly to the health station for follow-up treatment until the child reaches normal weight.

This little girl likes the ready to use food that much that she wanted to sneak some of the sachets off the table! But the use of these products has to be well-balanced; one sachet is meant to supplement a child’s regular diet.

This boy is enjoying the food supplement. It tastes a little bit like peanut butter.

 

Young children need good nutrition because without it, their physical and mental development can be compromised – forever.

Malnutrition is the largest single contributor to disease, according to the UN's Standing Committee on Nutrition (SCN). WFP and its partners have been working hard to prevent and treat malnourishment in the Typhoon Bopha affected areas.