Reference :
V-P-SS-E-00677
Date :
02/02/2015
Caption :
People wait for the ICRC to begin distributing the aid as a plane drops food rations in the distance.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC website, article of the 4th June 2015:
" Displacement, insecurity, flooding and a host of other issues have negatively impacted the ability of many South Sudanese to grow or otherwise access staple foods. This is compounded by renewed fighting, which has displaced thousands of people, preventing them from planting and cutting off their access to markets. Nutritionist Marijka Van Klinken explains the results of the ICRC's intervention so far.
How does the ICRC work to address food insecurity?
The ICRC's response to food insecurity prioritizes prevention, aiming to provide assistance that will increase food security before negative effects such as malnutrition are felt, or in the case of an area where malnutrition is already prevalent, to reduce the rates as much as possible and build resilience. With this preventive approach, the ICRC provides assistance in the form of food in emergency situations, and also distributes seeds in situations where a sustainable solution is possible and appropriate. In South Sudan to date, the ICRC has distributed over one million monthly food rations in some of the most affected parts of the country, and provided nearly 400,000 people with seeds and tools. Given the recent increased fighting and insecurity, the focus will necessarily have to be on emergency support with food rations in the short term.
How has the ICRC been doing this?
The ICRC has been distributing food rations in South Sudan based on our understanding of the needs as well as our ability to access the population and our logistical capacities. We are currently conducting food airdrops in two areas. In our food basket, we include staples like sorghum and beans, as well as smaller amounts of sugar, salt and oil for cooking. Each basket contains enough food to meet the basic needs of a household of six people for one month, providing roughly 2,300 kilocalories per person per day. The amounts of each item as well as the contents of the basket itself may be adjusted over time to reflect changing needs.
In order to assess the impact of our interventions, we have been using data collected during SMART (Standardized Method of Assessment in Relief and Transition) surveys conducted by the ICRC as well as by other humanitarian organizations providing support in these areas. The surveys measure the prevalence of malnutrition in children with a combination of indicators such as weight, height, age and mid upper arm circumference, among others. [...] "
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
4821x3214
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
