Infant and Young Child Feedingin Emergencies. Operational Guidance.
VERSION 3.0 – UPDATEThe Operational Guidance on IFE
AimTo provide concise, practical guidance on how to ensure appropriate infant
and young child feeding in emergencies (IFE)

ScopeApplies to emergency preparedness, response and recovery worldwide

Target Groups

Infants and young children aged 0-23 months and pregnant and lactating
women (PLW)Intended for

Policy-makers, decision-makers and programmers working in emergency
preparedness, response and recovery across sectors and disciplines.

Version 3
Updated by:
Co-led:Coordinated by:Funded by:

The IFE Core Group
ENN and UNICEF
ENN
USAID/OFDA (ENN)

2001

2006

2007

2010

2017

Version 1.0

Version 2.0

Version 2.1

Addendum

Version 3.0

V 3.0 Process
March 2016

• IFE Core Group
Meeting:
Interviewfindings shared,
gaps in contentand processagreedFeb 16 – Sept 17

Dec 2017• Consultation

IFE CoreGroup

Experts

Experiences &resources
SPHERE• IFE Core Group
Meeting:
Dissemination& roll out
action planV 3.0 What has stayed the same?
• Layout• Headings• Most of existingguidance• Terminology of IFE• Availability in English,
French and Arabic

KEY POINTSPRACTICAL STEPS (1 – 6)
1. Endorse or develop policies
2. Train staff
3. Co-ordinate operations
4. Assess and monitor
5. Protect, promote and support optimal IYCF with integrated
multi-sector interventions
6. Minimise the risks of artificial feeding

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS  New
KEY CONTACTSREFERENCES  Expanded
DEFINITIONS  Expanded
ANNEX 1: Multi-sectoral content  New
ACRONYMS  New

V 3.0 Revisions - Programming• Updated to reflect latest global guidance (published and upcoming)• Greater programmatic detail in all sections• Greater and more balanced content to address needs of non-breastfed infants• More comprehensive content on complementary feeding• Introduction of new concepts e.g. human milk banks• Considers situations where OG-IFE recommendations cannot be immediately met• More content on emergency preparedness• Summary key points updated

V 3.0 Revisions – Roles & Responsibilities• Greater emphasis on the lead role of government in preparedness and response• Greater clarity on the respective roles and responsibilities of UN agencies• Greater coverage of sectors beyond nutrition and more explicit actions to take
• Incorporated accountability to affected populations• Reflects significantly evolved operational environmentV 3.0 Revisions – References, Resources, Terminology• More extensive list of supporting references and resources• Greater referencing of recommendations and definitions• More extensive list of definitions• Changes, and additions, to terminology• Optimal IYCF → Recommended IYCF
• HIV Risk Assessment• Donor Human Milk
• Human Milk Bank
• Cluster Lead Agency• Lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS)1: Endorse or develop policies
Key provisions regarding IFE should be reflected in government, multi-sector and agency
policies and should guide emergency responses.

2: Train staff
Sensitisation and training on IFE is necessary at multiple levels and across sectors.

3: Coordinate operations
Capacity to coordinate IFE should be established in the coordination mechanism for every
emergency response. Government is the lead IFE coordination authority. Where this is notpossible or support is needed, IFE coordination is the mandated responsibility of UNICEF
or UNHCR, depending on context, in close collaboration with government, other UN
agencies and operational partners.
Where all provisions of OG-IFE cannot be immediately met, context-specific guidance on
appropriate actions and acceptable ‘compromises’ should be provided by the IFE
coordination authority and mandated UN agencies.
Timely, accurate and harmonised communication to the affected population, emergency
responders and the media is essential

4: Assess & Monitor
Needs assessment and critical analysis should determine a context specific IFE response▪ Pre-crisis data
▪ Rapid decision-making and action▪ Early needs assessment▪ In depth assessment▪ Monitoring
It is essential to monitor the impact of humanitarian actions and inaction on IYCF
practices, child nutrition and health; to consult with the affected population in planningand implementation; and to document experiences to inform preparedness and future
response.

5: Protect, promote and support optimal IYCF with integrated multi-sector interventions
Immediate action to protect recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices
and minimise risks is necessary in the early stages of an emergency, with targeted support
to higher risk infants and children▪ General▪ Breastfeeding support▪ Infants who are not breastfed – incl. relactation, wet nursing, donor human milk, BMS▪ Complementary feeding▪ Micronutrient supplementation▪ HIV and infant feeding▪ Infectious disease outbreaks

5: Protect, promote and support optimal IYCF with integrated multi-sector interventions

In every emergency, it is necessary to assess and act to protect and support the nutritionneeds and care of both breastfed and non-breastfed infants and young children. It is
important to consider prevalent practices, the infectious disease environment, culturalsensitivities and expressed needs and concerns of mothers/caregivers when determining
interventions

In every emergency, it is important to ensure access to adequate amounts of appropriate,
safe, complementary foods and associated support for children and to guarantee
nutritional adequacy for pregnant and lactating women.

5: Protect, promote and support optimal IYCF with integrated multi-sector interventions
Multi-sector collaboration is essential in an emergency to facilitate and complement
direct infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions. Actions are included for:HealthAdolescentServices

WASH

FSLChildProtection

ECD

Disability

ShelterCashSocialProtection

Agriculture

Logistics

WASH: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, FSL: Food Security and Livelihoods, ECD: Early Childhood Development

6: Minimise the risks of artificial feeding
In emergencies, the use of breastmilk substitutes (BMS) requires a context-specific,
coordinated package of care and skilled support to ensure the nutritional needs of nonbreastfed children are met and to minimise risks to all children through inappropriate use▪ Donations in emergencies▪ Artificial feeding management▪ BMS supplies▪ BMS specification▪ Procurement of BMS supplies, feeding equipment and support▪ Distribution of BMS
Donations of BMS, complementary foods and feeding equipment should not be sought or
accepted in emergencies; supplies should be purchased based on assessed need. BMS,
other milk products, bottles and teats should never be included in a general distribution.

Emergency preparedness…is critical to a timely, efficient and appropriate IFE response
Examples from Box 1: Emergency Preparedness Actions
POLICYTRAINING

COORDINATION

Develop preparedness plans on IFE Prepare orientation material foruse in early emergency response

Develop terms of reference for IFE
coordination in a response

ASSESS AND MONITORARTIFICIAL FEEDING

MULTI-SECTOR INTERVENTIONS

Prepare key questions to include in Examine national legislation
early needs assessment
related to food and drugs,
particularly importation

Communicate government
position on not seeking or
accepting donations

**INSTRUCTION SLIDE**
The following slides cover implications of the revisions in the Operational Guidance on
IFE for stakeholders involved with Shelter in emergencies.
Please delete slides that are not applicable to your audience and cross reference tointernal documents and processes where relevant.

Implications for…Shelter
Shelter is a key sector to sensitise and work with on IYCF.
3.6 Coordinate with other sectors to identify opportunities for multi-sector
collaboration in needs assessment and programming and to inform sector
policies, actions plans and risk management regarding IFE.
4.2 Explore opportunities to include IYCF questions in other sector needs
assessments and draw on relevant multi-sector data.

Implications for…Shelter
Shelter is a key sector to sensitise and work with on IYCF.
5.32 Examples of two-way multi-sector collaboration include:
Work with shelter providers to ensure minimum shelter and settlement
standards are met for families with children under two years and pregnant
and lactating women (PLW) that includes adequate living conditions tosupport safe food preparation, feeding practices and care.

Implications for…Shelter
Protect, promote and support optimal infant and young child feedingwith integrated multi-sector interventions
For more information on how to work together to jointly achieve sharedobjectives:
1. Go to: Operational Guidance on IFE V3.0 Resources – Shelter
2. Watch:
IYCF FrameworkINSTRUCTION SLIDE
You may find it useful to have a discussion on how the revised guidance can be dissemination withinyour working group / cluster / agency etc.
Suggestions have been made for roll out at:
1.

Individual agency level

2.

National level3.

Regional level

Select the appropriate slide. Suggested roll out actions will have to be contextualised prior topresenting. Following the discussion, it is recommended to set SMART objectives and work out atimeline to implement the recommended roll-out actions. Consider what resources are required tosupport the roll-out.

Recommendations for dissemination (Agency)• Wide dissemination of Ops Guidance on IFE within <agency>• What does this mean for you and your agency? Roles, responsibilities, agency activities,
programming, strategies, position papers etc.

• Training for technical staff from health, nutrition and other sectors• Sensitisation for all staff including senior management and communication, logistics,
resource mobilization, rapid response and volunteer teams• Inclusion of V 3.0 in induction reading materials, agency resource libraries, trainingmaterials etc.
• Dissemination and roll out to regional, country and field offices• Update training materials

Recommendations for dissemination(National/Cluster)• Wide dissemination to <NiEWG / nutrition cluster members, all other sectors, intercluster,
relevant government agencies and authorities, advocacy groups, policymakers>• What does this mean for you? Preparedness and response plans, roles and responsibilities etc.
• Dissemination of / sensitisation on update• Translation of Operational Guidance on IFE text into local language• Adaptation of Operational Guidance on IFE to local context• Incorporation of V 3.0 revisions into national guidance & policy• Inclusion into background reading materials

Recommendations for dissemination (Regional)• Wide dissemination of Ops Guidance on IFE at <regional level>• What does this mean for you? Preparedness and response plans, roles and responsibilities etc.
• Training and sensitisation for regional offices• Translation into regional languages• Dissemination to country offices• Incorporation of V3.0 updates into regional strategies, funding etc.

Appropriate and timely support of infant and young child feedingin emergencies (IFE) saves lives, protects child nutrition, healthand development and benefits mothers.