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A RESPONSIBLE HELP CHAIN
"Infant
feeding is part of the big picture. It is important
for people to make informed decisions on programme responses
and to understand the implications of each choice. "
Lola
Gostelow, former Livelihood Adviser to Save the Children
Fund, United Kingdom, 1999
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In emergencies,
breastfeeding is the optimal and safest
feeding method.
The 47th World
Health Assembly urges member states:
" to exercise
extreme caution when planning, implementing
or supporting emergency relief operations,
by protecting, promoting and supporting
breastfeeding for infants "
47.5 WHA resolution (1994)
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In emergency and relief situations
breastfeeding is of critical importance: it saves babies'
lives. Artificial feeding in these situations is difficult
and increases the risk of malnutrition, disease and
infant death. The basic resources needed for artificial
feeding such as clean water and fuel are scarce in emergencies.
Transport and adequate storage conditions of breastmilk
substitutes (BMS) cause additional problems. Furthermore,
BMS donated as humanitarian aid often end up in the
local market and can have a negative influence on feeding
practices in the host community.
Knowing the damage artificial
feeding can do, most relief agencies are reluctant to
provide breastmilk substitutes. However, evidence shows
there are still many cases of unsolicited donations
of BMS to emergency sites; donations that were not well
targeted, coordinated, monitored, and that are usually
labeled with a commercial brand. Such donations not
only stand in the way of healthy infant feeding practices,
but also give infant formulae companies an opportunity
for free advertising and access to new markets.
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"Our maternity
hospitals were flooded with breastmilk
substitutes brought in by humanitarian
aid agencies. This nearly destroyed our
breastfeeding programmes."
Dr.
Anahit Demirchian, Chief of the National
Programme of Promotion and Protection
of Breastfeeding, Armenia, 1996
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Emergency
situations amplify concerns about the use of
breastmilk substitutes, bottles and teats.
"In refugee camps and other crisis-affected
areas, the health risks associated with bottle
feeding and breastmilk substitutes are dramatically
increased, due to poor hygiene, crowding and
limited water and fuel. These conditions contribute
to diarrhoea and, at worst, to higher infant
mortality rate."
BFHI
News, UNICEF, September /October 1999
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Protecting
breastfeeding in an emergency is a difficult concept
to promote
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"How must this
mother feel knowing her baby is aching with
hunger? She must be desperate for someone to
give her food to save him..."
TV
Appeal for the children of Bosnia, United Kingdom,
May 1994
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Fundraising appeals portray
messages which suggest that mothers cannot breastfeed.
This has a damaging effect on the public perception
of breastfeeding and plays into the hands of
the companies.
Source:
Crucial Aspects of Intant Feeding in Emergency
and Relief Situations, IBFAN-GIFA, 1996.
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IN EMERGENCIES, BREASTFEEDING
REMAINS THE SAFEST METHOD
Whether an emergency makes headlines
or takes its toll quietly, as in the "silent emergency"
of malnutrition, the survival, growth and development
of infants and young children can clearly be enhanced
by breastfeeding.
BFHI
News, UNICEF, 1999 , September /October
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Breastfeeding:
Benefits - Did you know that...
For
Infant Health:
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Breastfeeding provides all the necessary
nutrients and water for the first 6 months,
up to half or more of the nutritional requirements
between 6 and 12 months, and up to one third
between 12 and 24 months.
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Breastmilk
has anti-infective properties that help
to protect the infant against infections.
Colostrum,
the milk produced in the first few days,
is the first "essential immunization".
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Breastfed
infants have fewer illnesses and are at
reduced risk of death from infections such
as diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections.
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Infants are 25 times more likely to die
from diarrhoea in the first 6 months of
life if not exclusively breastfed.
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The World Health Organisation estimates
that a million and a half infant deaths
could be averted each year through effective
breastfeeding.
For
Maternal Health: Breastfeeding...
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reduces blood loss after delivery by the
helping the uterus to contract.
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delays
the return of fertility and contributes
to natural birth spacing.
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increases
mother-infant bonding.
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reduces
the risk of ovarian, breast and other reproductive
cancers later in life.
Economic
Benefits: Breastfeeding...
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is
the most economical method of infant feeding,
requiring neither purchasing nor fuel, pots,
water and time for preparation. It thus
reduces dependency and empowers women.
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reduces
the cost of health care for sick infants.
More
info : What
scientific research says
and: http://linkagesproject.org
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