Executive Summary
Malnutrition in Somalia is a huge public health problem, negatively affecting growth, development and survival of the population. Situational analysis shows a long term nutrition crisis characterised by persistently high rates of acute and chronic malnutrition throughout the country with some variation by zone and livelihood system. This situation reflects nearly two decades of armed conflict and insecurity, with breakdown in social and public services coupled with recurrent droughts and flooding seriously affecting food security and livelihoods. In response to the alarming rates of acute malnutrition, nutrition programming coordinated by the Nutrition Cluster, has been primarily focussed on the immediate needs of saving lives through the management of acute malnutrition, based on seasonal assessments of food security and nutrition surveillance data primarily by FSNAU.
However, surveillance data shows that even in years of improved food production and relative stability, rates of acute and chronic malnutrition remain high in certain regions indicating other underlying causes play a significant role. Evidence shows that sub-optimal infant, young child and maternal feeding and care practices, low dietary diversity, poor hygiene, water and sanitation, high morbidity coupled with inadequate access to health care are key determinants of the problem. To address these multi-factorial and overlapping causes, a holistic package of interventions with multi-sector collaboration is required. This strategy has been developed via a consultative approach between UN agencies, local and international NGOs and the national and regional health authorities to provide an agreed upon framework for action to meet this need for a shift to a more holistic approach.