Case studies for the nutritional management of non-breastfed infants in emergencies

In 2021, UNICEF updated its guidance on the Procurement and Use of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS) in Humanitarian Settings, which clarifies that where BMS procurement is warranted in humanitarian settings, UNICEF can procure such supplies as part of an overall response that supports optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF). The case studies from– Haiti, Lebanon, Myanmar, the Sudan, Ukraine, and Uganda—describe how countries have applied the guidance and an example of a country-led response for non-breasted infants using milk banks from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Supporting breastfed and non-breastfed infants in all settings with well-designed programs remains critical to protecting their health and nutrition, and UNICEF’s cluster or sector lead role is essential to effective IYCF emergency preparedness and response programming, including meeting the nutritional needs of non-breastfed infants. UNICEF should continue to identify efficiencies to ensure the timely availability of BMS.