Anti-malnutrition campaign begins for Sudanese refugees in Chad

A campaign to register young children to provide them with preventative measures against malnutrition began on Monday in the Sudanese refugee camps in eastern Chad. Speaking to Radio Dabanga from Gaga camp, a representative of the Chadian office of nutrition and environment support, Juma Ahmed Abdullah, said that the campaign by the World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was especially prompted because of the high incidence of the disease in the camps. “The campaign will cover all 12 camps in eastern Chad, targeting children between six and 23 months of age,” Abdullah said. Citing camp Gaga as an example, Abdullah explained that the 900 cases there have been divided into two categories. Those first suffering from severe malnutrition are being treated with saturated biscuits. Those suffering from ordinary malnutrition are treated via normal supplemental feeding.” Abdullah appealed to all refugees and families in eastern Chad camps to register their children to ensure their access to full doses. File photo Related: Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad lack shelter, safe drinking water (30 May 2013) Reduced WFP rations for Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad (20 May 2013)