What is MSFs 2007 operational strategy in Niger?
Our aim remains that of improving our response to global acute malnutrition, but we are changing methods in an attempt to heighten the impact of our intervention. In the district of Guidam Roumdji, most children lose weight during the “hunger gap,” with a high proportion reaching the stage of moderate malnutrition. Therefore, once a month during this period we will be distributing portions of Plumpy’doz (a vitamin- and mineral-enriched paste of milk and peanuts) to all children under three years of age – that is, to about 50,000 children. This product is very similar to Plumpy’nut, but the vitamin and micronutrient composition has been modified. Using these means, we enable mothers to provide their children with proper food, adapted to their specific nutritional requirements. We have already seen, in 2005 and 2006, that giving mothers the responsibility for treating uncomplicated acute malnutrition produces good results. It is only when a child is ill or severely malnourished that trea
