Nutritional Surveillance System Implementation at the Local Level for Emergency Situation

In Guatemala 49.3% of children less than five years suffer chronic malnutrition and 54.33% of the population lives in poverty (22.77% in extreme poverty), being the most vulnerable groups the indigenous people and the inhabitants of rural areas, especially children under three years of age. This problem increased due to the emergency originated by the Tropical Storm “Stan” in October 2005. In order to face this situation the Ministry of Public Health developed a project with the support of the international cooperation, to reestablish the feeding and nutritional security of population. The main objective was to maintain the adequate nutritional status of the population affected by the storm; as well as, to prevent and treat acute malnutrition. The program main results were the development of a nutritional assessment surveillance system for the opportune detection and decision making for prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition. Of a total of 10,972 children evaluated, a total of 127 children were identified with acute malnutrition. Also, an information, education and communication plan based on the community was developed to promote safe and suitable practices for food manipulation, nutrition, hygiene and family and community care and a program of complementary feeding was implemented to prevent the undernourishment in children 6 to 36 months and in pregnant and breast feeding women. Finally, specific micronutrient deficiencies were prevented in the vulnerable population, affected by the emergency. These preventive actions strengthened the health services capacities to prevent and reduce the nutritional damages expected during the post emergency period.