45% of deaths among children under 5 years of age are linked to undernutrition which is why we have undertaken to address Acute Malnutrition as a priority in our efforts to contribute towards strengthening the health and nutrition status of children and their families.

Screening of children, as well as pregnant and lactating women for Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), is complemented by testing for additional health hazards such as malaria and vitamin deficiencies given the setbacks these cause in the fight against malnutrition.

Management of women and children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition involves supplementary feeding, dietary counselling for caregivers, and routine medical treatment to improve the nutritional status and prevent the condition from deteriorating, while those with Severe Acute Malnutrition (without clinical complications) are referred to our Out-Patient Therapeutic Programmes (OTPs) where they can be treated through therapeutic feeding and routine medical treatment that includes the administration of vaccinations and vitamins where needed as well deworming.

Those with clinical complications are referred to in-patient therapeutic care to be treated at stabilization centres.

Our Health and Nutrition programme interventions are designed to:

• Save Lives
• Improve Nutritional Health
• Develop resilience and Stability

The Health and Nutrition programme interventions used are selected based on an assessment of the
respective community needs. Interventions include, but are not limited to;

• Malnutrition Screening at Clinics or Outposts
• Nutrition Prescriptions – Therapeutic milk formula and Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)
• Supplementary Feeding
• Outpatient Therapeutic Programmes (OTP’s)
• Take-Home Rations (THR’s)
• Administration of Vitamins and Vaccines
• Deworming
• Nutrition Education
• Nutrition Surveillance

JAM is a partner of the Global Nutrition Cluster, committed to respecting fundamental humanitarian principles, working in Nutrition in Emergencies, and willing to actively help the GNC fulfil its role. Our food and nutrition programmes are tailored to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), those of No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well Being, and Quality Education. 

To read more about the difference our programmes are making in the lives of many vulnerable individuals and their communities, visit our stories page here.