Emergency Food Distribution in Madagascar

In the last three months, significant progress was made in addressing child malnutrition and supporting vulnerable households affected by Tropical Storm Jude. A total of 23,208 children between 6–59 months were screened for malnutrition across project sites. Screening identified 1,245 children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and 158 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Of those identified with SAM, three children presenting with medical complications were referred to hospital for specialized treatment, ensuring they received the urgent care required.

In response to food insecurity following crop losses, the project conducted the fifth round of ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) distribution. Through this initiative, 1,384 households of children with acute malnutrition received food supplies, directly supporting recovery and reducing vulnerability. These distributions were a key component of the cyclone-response activities, ensuring that affected families were not left without critical nutritional support.

To complement food assistance, the project emphasized preventive and educational approaches. Three Social Behaviour Change (SBC) sessions were delivered, focusing on maternal nutrition and dietary diversity, equipping caregivers with knowledge to improve household nutrition practices. Additionally, a Positive Deviance (PD) survey identified 12 eligible Model Mothers, who will lead a 12-day skill-sharing workshop. These workshops promote locally rooted caregiving practices, ensuring solutions are sustainable and culturally appropriate.

The last Positive Deviance cycle yielded particularly encouraging results: of the 33 children participating, 29 successfully recovered from MAM. This underscores the effectiveness of community-led approaches and the potential for long-term impact when families are empowered with skills and knowledge.

These integrated efforts are not only addressing immediate nutritional needs but also strengthening resilience against future shocks.

Your generous donations make these achievements possible and we are very grateful.

Over the past year, SEED has worked alongside the Ministry of Health (MoH), community health centres (CSBs), and community health workers (ACs) to support children with acute malnutrition and their families. By building and maintaining strong relationships with local authorities and the regional Medical Inspector, SEED has fostered collaboration and enhanced responsiveness to community needs through sustained engagement.

 To strengthen the capacity of 272 ACs, SEED facilitated training to equip ACs with the tools to detect, screen, and refer children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) to the CSB and deliver critical health and nutrition sensitisation.

Three rounds of active screening were conducted by SEED staff and ACs every four months, resulting in more than 60,000 children being screened for acute malnutrition across 136 villages, over the past year. In total, 3,147 children with MAM were enrolled on treatment to receive a 60-day supply of ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF). Additionally, SEED identified and referred 148 children with SAM to the nearest CSB for appropriate treatment, where children were provided with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) from the government. Throughout the 60-day distribution cycle of each round, children’s nutritional status was monitored every 15 days. In total, 1,029 children with MAM recovered, achieving a total recovery rate of 92.5% across all project sites.

 In addition, SEED supported families of children with MAM and SAM through the distribution of food supplies. Families received unprepared food parcels containing rice, beans, and oil. In total, 37,980 kg of rice, 25,320 cups of beans, and 5,064 litres of oil were distributed. By offering these unprepared food supplies, SEED aimed to extend support to household members to meet their nutritional needs, thereby reducing the likelihood that RUSF and RUTF, intended for children with MAM and SAM, were shared amongst family members.

 This has been possible through generous donors like you, and SEED is immensely grateful.