Covid-19 Learning Series
In 2021, ENN embarked on a COVID-19 Learning Series that aimed to complement existing COVID-19 learning initiatives within the nutrition sector, including through the Global Nutrition Cluster Technical Alliance, capitalising on our rich network and fora. A key focus of the series was on capturing the field-level experiences of those operating within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. ENN wanted the series to contribute to understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on undernutrition and nutrition issues in local communities as well as the challenges that COVID-19 presents for implementing nutrition services.
To ensure that ENN was complementing, rather than replicating, existing learning efforts, ENN initially embarked on a survey of needs that was intended to inform the selection of topics and contacts for case studies. This survey was designed to collect information from our network on the topics that they felt were still underrepresented within the existing information pool regarding COVID-19 and nutrition programming/services in low- to middle- income countries.
These survey results are now published and they were used to inform the subsequent work in the series. ENN then produced four case studies and a synthesis document focusing on the role of entrepreneurs in supporting nutrition and health services during the pandemic.
Join a live discussion
Join ENN's live discussion forum on Covid-19 and nutrition programming on en-net in English or in French - post technical questions and receive real-time responses from peers in the international nutrition community, moderated by global nutrition experts.
How ENN is supporting nutrition programming in the context of COVID-19
ENN is supporting the development and dissemination of guidance and the sharing of experiences on COVID-19 and nutrition programming through our work with the Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) Technical Alliance.
ENN is knowledge management lead within the core Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC) Technical Alliance team, to support real time learning and rapid collation and curation of programming challenges, innovations and emerging evidence. We have surged this capacity to handle significant increased demand in response to COVID-19.
ENN coordinates the IFE Core Group, an established global forum to which the most challenging programming questions regarding infant and young child feeding are escalated to. Similarly, ENN is co-chair (with UNICEF) of the Wasting Thematic Working Group, and chairs a dedicated sub-group handling escalated questions regarding COVID-19 and wasting. In both capacities ENN is coordinating and securing consensus on questions amongst a network of experienced programmers and researchers.
Listen to a short conversation on ENN's support to practitioners on COVID-19 and nutrition through our role in the Global Technical Assistance Mechanism on Nutrition. This webinar is part of a series co-organized with the Development Studies Association of Ireland’s Nutrition and Health Study Group. DSAI is a network and space for dialogue between development researchers, policy makers and practitioners.
Quick links for nutrition programmers
UNICEF, GNC and GTAM have developed a series of technical briefs on aspects of nutrition programming in the context of COVID-19. These have been developed by experts and will be updated as new evidence emerges:
- Management of child wasting in the context of COVID-19 (last updated 27th March 2020) English, French, Arabic and Spanish versions available
- Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) programming in the context of COVID-19 (last updated on 30th March 2020) English, French, Arabic, Spanish and Russian versions available
- Nutrition information management, surveillance and monitoring in the context of COVID-19 (last updated on 14th April 2020)
- Protecting Maternal Diets and Nutrition Services and Practices in the Context of COVID-19 (last updated on 22nd April 2020)
GTAM is also compiling, curating and presenting adaptations to nutrition programming that are being rolled out in the context of COVID-19. Please visit the GNC website to access this.
Other important resources are as follows:
- The Global Nutrition Cluster website which has a section for the COVID-19 response that is being updated daily. Find here relevant information for coordination, plus a repository of critical guidance on nutrition programming to support the continued delivery of humanitarian assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak
- UNSCN resource list on food systems and nutrition responses in the light of COVID-19 - this will also be updated regularly as new information comes out
- John Hopkins website for snapshots of the latest research on COVID-19 and maternal, child helath and nutrition.
- Joint statement from UNICEF and the GNC on the risk of COVID-19 complications for children with wasting – this calls for countries to intensify efforts to prevent child wasting and sustain and adapt existing critical treatment services in the context of COVID-19
- GTAM resource list on the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) to assist Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE) practitioners to integrate COVID-19 preparedness and response into humanitarian nutrition responses
- WHO FAQ on breastfeeding and COVID-19 translations into other languages will be forthcoming
- The Lancet paper: 'Early estimates of the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and child mortality in low-income and middle-income countries: a modelling study'
- Toolkit for CHW Community-Based Treatment of Uncomplicated Wasting for Children 6-59 Months in the Context of Covid-19, developed by UNICEF, IRC & other partners
For more information please contact ENN Technical Director Tanya Khara.