Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies - Report Launch
A new report, Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies on the Island of Ireland: A Guidance Document for Creating an All-Island Preparedness Plan, was launched on Friday, 28th March. Written by Drs Aileen Kennedy & Liz O’Sullivan from TU Dublin as well as Dr Clare Patton from University of Leeds/ Queens University Belfast, the report examines current gaps in emergency preparedness for infant feeding across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and provides recommendations for improving policy and practice across the island of Ireland.
Read the report here:
Emergencies, whether due to natural disasters, public health crises or other disruptions, can pose significant risks to infant and young child nutrition. Disruptions to food supply chains, lack of access to safe water, and inadequate breastfeeding support can lead to malnutrition, illness, and increased morbidity and mortality among vulnerable populations. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable in such circumstances, yet there is currently no integrated, plan for Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) in Ireland.
This report, supported by funding from the North-South Research Programme (NSRP) highlights the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing these challenges. By bringing together expertise from both jurisdictions, the project aimed to strengthen preparedness and ensure a coordinated approach to protecting infant and young child nutrition in emergencies.