CHF-DMA-0489-029 "Somalia Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) 2010:  Support to FSNAU Deyr 2010/11 Early Warning Information and Analysis for Improved Programming and Action" - 335,000$                                                                          

According to the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) Deyr 2009/10 assessment, an estimated 3.2 million people in Somalia is in need of emergency livelihood and life-saving assistance. Key findings of the assessment highlight that the epicenter of humanitarian crisis in Somalia is in Mudug, Galgadud, Hiran, Gedo, Bakool, Middle Shabelle, Nugal, Sanaag, Togdheer and Banadir regions. These regions account for about 47% of the total population in crisis. In addition to food and livelihood crisis, most of these regions (Mudug, Galgadud, Hiran, Gedo, Bakool and Togdheer) as well as Bay and Juba regions experience nutrition crisis exhibiting the highest malnutrition rates among children under five in the country. In addition, 12.5% of pregnant and lactating women in the assessed regions were found to be malnourished. The Critical to Very Critical nutrition situation in these regions is attributable to various factors including food insecurity, high disease burden exacerbated by limited access to health services, safe water and sanitation facilities and sub optimal infant and young children feeding practices. In drought affected pastoral communities, increased malnutrition is often associated with family splitting due to livestock outmigration as women and children who are left behind experience reduced access to milk. Critical nutrition situation was also observed among the Internally Displaced People (in Afgoye Corridor and Berbera camps), who are the largest single population group in crisis, representing 43% of the total 3.2 million.

FSNAU contributes to an improved understanding of food security and nutrition in the complex humanitarian and political environment of Somalia by ensuring that a broad range of stakeholders have access to appropriate food, nutrition and livelihood security information for improved emergency response and development planning. FSNAU has now instituted a comprehensive livelihoods analytical system, which allows a wider analysis of current crisis and underlying structural issues as well as shorter term issues impacting on food security, nutrition and livelihoods. Such analysis is essential to plan relevant and effective interventions in a complex environment such as Somalia and monitor the impact of livelihood, food security and nutrition interventions. In order to continue updating on the nutrition situation it is paramount that surveys and assessments are carried at least in all CHF priority regions, where populations are most affected by food, livelihood and nutrition crisis.

Objective:  Update on nutrition situation in the targeted regions of Somalia

Main Outcomes:

• Nutrition situation analysis produced and caseload of malnourished children under five and pregnant/lactating women estimated                                                                                   
• Nutrition survey results disseminated to response agencies, donors and other stakeholders