Emergencies responses are often characterized by large influxes of unsolicited donations of breastmilk substitutes, bottles, teats, and other milk products. Generous donations ofen do more harm than good in emergencies- read the IBFAN 2000 briefing paper.
Violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Subsitutes are frequent in emergencies- read about IBFAN documented Code violations in emergencies in the 2009 IBFAN-ICDC Focus publication.
Humanitarian agencies lack training on how to support breastfeeding, as well as how to support non breastfed children while not undermining breastfeeding. The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and relevant subsequent World Health Assembly Resolutions are all the more important in emergencies. Monitoring and reporting Code violations in emergency situations are key components of all emergency responses- IBFAN monitoring form
IBFAN, represented by IBFAN-GIFA, is an active member of the interagency working group on Infant Feeding in Emergencies.
The IFE Core group is coordinated by the ENN, Emergency Nutrition Network. Members of the IFE Core group include non-governmental and UN agencies (for the list of members of the IFE Core group see www.ennonline.net/ife ). The IFE Core group represented by the ENN is a member of the IASC Inter-agency Standing Committee Nutrition cluster
Aim of the IFE Core group: To develop policy guidance and capacity building in the field of Infant Feeding in Emergencies.
World Breastfeeding week 2009: Breastfeeding- a vital emergency response.
The IFE core group represented by ENN and IBFAN-also developed the action folder and calendar for the World Breastfeeding Theme 2009: Breastfeeding - a vital emergency response.
Key documents developed by the IFE Core group include:
- the Operational Guidance on Infant and Young child feeding in emergencies (version 2.1, February 2007). This Operational Guidance was first produced by the Interagency Working Group on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies in 2001. It has since evolved to reflect experiences in the field and the latest version of this document is from February 2007. The Operational Guidance has been translated into 11 languages. The aim of the Operational Guidance is to ensure optimal infant and young child feeding practices in emergencies. It is supported by a large number of NGOs, donors, and UN agencies (see www.ennonline.net/ife). The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and relevant subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions is embedded throughout the Operational Guidance. There is also a clear statement on the importance of preventing and avoiding donations of breastmilk substitutes, bottles, teats and other milk products in emergencies.There is also a whole section on how to minimize the risks of artificial feeding. This is a key document for the protection and support of appropriate infant and young child feeding in emergencies. It is also reflected in Sphere guidelines (presently under revision).
PDF English version
PDF Spansih version
PDF French version
(for other languages visit the ENN website http://www.ennonline.net/resources/view.aspx?resid=6)
Training modules on Infant feeding in emergencies.General Orientation: IFE Module 1 for all emergency relief staff, developed by the IFE Core Group. This module is presently being updated. The former version is here .
Upcoming is a revised set of orientation materials which will include an online e-learning course on IFE, a set of power point presentations and notes, and reading material. This will be posted on the ENN website (expected in November 2009).
- Training for health/nutrition staff: IFE Module 2, developed by the IFE Core group and additional contributors (PDF English and French versions), This module includes additional chapters on relactation (chapter 6), on breast conditions (chapter 7), on the young severely malnourished infant (chapter 8), and on when infants are not breastfed (chapter 9)
- IASC Cluster module 17 on IFE (Module 17 on IFE in the set of Nutrition Cluster modules) developed by some members of the IFE Core group for the Capacity building working group of the Nutrition Cluster http://www.humanitarianreform.org/Default.aspx?tabid=488
For information, this cluster module 17 on IFE is based on the content of the above listed IFE Modules 1 and 2 developed by the IFE Core group. It will be revised in 2010 in order to reflect material from the new upcoming updated IFE Module 1 developed by the IFE Core group and recent field experiences
- The Media Guide on IFE For other languages see www.ennonline.net . Monitor the press for donations of bms, bottles, teats, and other milk products and write and complain using this media guide (see also guide for the public for more information on how to take action)
Send any press articles on IFE to Karleen Gribble karleeng@netspace.net.au
Meetings organized by the IFE Core group
A number of international meetings have been organised by the IFE Core group on IFE and include:
- Oxford 2006: Making it matter
- Bali 2008: Making it happen
Other key documents related to IFE
- Guidance on Infant feeding and HIV in the context of refugees and displaced populations, June 2009, version 1.1 Attach link PDF French and English
- UNCHR Policy Related to the Acceptance, Distribution and Use of Milk Products in Refugee Settings, 2006 version
Visit the ENN website for many more related documents. Search the ENN website for articles on IFE published in Field Exchange. Join discussion groups on IFE via the En-Net www.ennonline.net/ife
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