Warning issued over nutritional value of food aid

Traditional food aid lacks the nutritional value to serve the dietary needs of those most at risk, an international health agency has warned.

Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) has issued a statement claiming that the majority of food aid currently provided as part of humanitarian operations focuses on fighting hunger and not preventing malnutrition and, as a result, puts young children particularly at risk.

The organisation has called for increased and expanded distribution of ready-to-use (RUF) food, a more nutrient-dense option than the usual blend of corn and soy.

"It's not only about how much food children get, it's what's in the food that counts," said Dr Christophe Fournier, president of MSF's international council. "Without the right amounts of vitamins and essential nutrients in their diet, young kids become vulnerable to disease that they would normally be able to fight off easily.

"Calls for increased food aid ignore the special needs of young children who are at the greatest risk of dying," he added.

In 2006 MSF treated more than 150,000 children with acute malnutrition in 22 countries. According to the World Health Organization there are approximately 20 million children suffering from severe malnutrition at any given moment.

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