Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) Support – Lifesaving Interventions

Breastfeeding plays a critical role in saving lives. It’s estimated that up to 820,000 children could be saved each year through breastfeeding, as it offers strong protection against life-threatening illnesses like pneumonia and diarrhea. In crisis situations, where access to clean water, adequate nutrition, healthcare, and sanitation is often disrupted, infants who are not breastfed face significantly higher risks. Because of this, supporting infant and young child feeding during emergencies is recognized as a key component of essential humanitarian health interventions. This technical guidance note serves as a tool to advocate for protecting and promoting safe infant feeding practices in emergency contexts.