Nutrition Issues During Emergencies in Europe and the Middle East

On-going Research

Are there unique nutritional issues connected with the 'new' complex emergencies which have been witnessed recently in Europe and the Middle East? This is a question that a new six month research project being carried out at the ICH and funded by ODA, is trying to answer. The basic premise of the research is that there may be important nutrition related differences between complex emergencies in countries like the new independent states of the former USSR and a typical African emergency. For example, in European and Middle Eastern countries:

• famine is less likely in the short-term but micronutrient deficiencies may arise and under-nutrition may occur in particularly vulnerable subsections of the population
• nutritionally vulnerable groups may be different, e.g. findings from surveys conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia and Armenia suggest that the elderly may be at greater nutritional risk than young children in these countries
• food aid deliveries have been different both in terms of quantity and quality. Of particular concern is the distribution of infant formula in some Central European countries by humanitarian organisations
• the more sophisticated infrastructure and generally higher level of education of national professionals potentially allows for better collaboration between international and national agencies working on food and nutrition issues.

Given these types of difference, the project aims to develop ideas for more appropriate forms of nutritional surveillance and responses to nutrition-related problems for these types of population. As so little work has been carried out in this area, the first aim of the study is to produce a background document collating relevant material and making recommendations for future research and action. It is then hoped to convene a workshop bringing together relevant institutions and individuals to discuss issues highlighted in the background document.

For further information contact Fiona Watson, e-mail: f.watson@ich.ucl.ac.uk