Acute Malnutrition among Children in Balochistan

The Baloch Hal

by Yousaf Ajab

The people of Balochistan suffer because of disasters either brought by the nature or human beings. The absence of planning for disasters risk reduction or emergency based support ratifies lack of interests of authorities. It seems the official functionaries are only interested in Balochistan’s resources, not the Baloch people. The monsoon rain and floods in 2011caused not only loss of agriculture, livestock but the high death toll also shocked the local population. Thousands of people became internally displaced. Though the torrential rains are over now, their impact is still too strong. The impact of the floods is writ large on the faces of women and children. One year has passed since the heavy torrential rains broke all the past records, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless. In February 2012, the United Nations and Pakistan appealed for additional $440 million for flood affected-areas of Sindh and Balochistan. The monsoon flood and rainfall in 2011 also caused great disaster in Kalat. The rains washed away thousands of houses or partially damaged a large number of populations over there. . Forty-five percent of the population in Kalat was struck where rains severely devastated 145 villages. The rains also played havoc with livestock, agriculture, and infrastructure. In this situation, women and children are suffering from extreme malnutrition. Pregnant women and children receive inadequate food. A nongovernmental organization, the Human Prosperity Organization (H.P.O) implemented the project of Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (C.M.A.M) in six union councils (U.Cs) of Kalat District. In March, with the partnership of the World Food Program (W.F.P), the project provided food assistance to flood affected families especially to improve the nutritional status of moderately malnourished mothers and children through public health system. This project also included static and mobile facilities at community locations.The project objective is to stabilize and improve the nutritional status of malnourished pregnant and lactating women and children (6-59 months) in flood-affected areas of District Kalat. Currently, H.P.O. is facilitating 937 Pregnant and Lactating Women (P.L.W), 1135 Moderate Acute Malnourished (M.A.M) children and 341 Sever Acute Malnourished (S.A.M) children. The High Energy Biscuits (H.E.B), are provided for the siblings of The S.A.M children. The P.LWs are provided oil after every two month and Wheat Soya Blend W.S.B on monthly basis. The M.A.M. children are being distributed H.E.B and Supplementary Plumpy after every fifteen day. The provision of food to the poor and acute malnourished children and women is somehow resulting prolific and the registered beneficiaries are curing. The project coordinator CMAM program Mr. Mujeeb says that in the flood affected areas we have registered thousands of children and women who are malnourished, however due to limited quantity commodities .we are unable to facilitate every one. “No doubt, the affected people of flood and rain belong to poor families, the children and women rely on the oil, H.E.B, and W.S.B” said C.M.A.M’s Project Coordinator. It is need of the time to continue the above mentioned projects to overcome hunger and the catastrophic impact of disasters in Balochistan. We can find thousands of affected people who need to be facilitated in health, education, agriculture and livestock. The international and national N.G.O.s can play a significant role in this regard.Though the flood by now seems to be a part of the history, the impact it has left behind will remain there for coming years. The role of nongovernmental organizations in flood relief activities can never be underestimated. They reduced the chances of a bigger humanitarian crisis in Balochistan during the floods. Yet, they still have to play a more proactive role in flood affected districts of Kalat, Khuzdar, Naseerabd, Sibi, and Jaferabbd and in other parts of Balochistan .To work for sustainable results in health, education and development sectors, it is necessary for international organization to work with local organizations because experience proves that local organization have deep roots and reliable linkages with the communities. They have a better understanding of the local problems and also demonstrate a stronger commitment with the area and the people.