Fighting Unusually High Malnutrition Rates in Chad and Preparing for Worse
As a food crisis continues to spread and levels of severe acute malnutrition continue to rise in Chad, MSF is expanding the number of emergency malnutrition treatment programs it is operating in the country. Even in a normal year, Chad has one of the highest rates of chronic malnutrition in the world. This year is showing signs of being worse than usual. In early 2012, in some areas of the country, rates of global acute malnutrition as high as 24 percent have already been reported among children under the age of five.
Why are there such alarming rates of malnutrition in Biltine?
February is the beginning of the hunger gap in Chad, when families traditionally begin to run out of their food stocks. This year MSF found high rates of severe acute malnutrition rates among children under five, because only 46 percent of the harvest required to feed the population was harvested, which is well below the average. Many Chadians who worked in Libya also lost their jobs and returned home. Those men have moved to other parts of Chad to find work, but the salaries are much lower, so they are sending home less money.
A staff member uses a MUAC to check a child for malnutrition at an MSF hospital in Chad.
Chad 2012 © Andrea Bussotti/MSF
23rdday ofMayin the year2012
Netflix Now Playing:
I saw the Devil (2010)
5/5
Amazing movie. A must see. Jumped right into my top ten alltime.
100 Best Films #1: Oldboy
Released in 2003
Dir. Park Chan-wook
Starring Choi Min-sik, Yu Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong
My life
The reality is I live on two sides of a coin. Suprising how it’s lasted this long. On one hand I act happy and try to be as helpful as I can; on the other holds mental breakdowns, worry,and illusion. It’s to the point now where the thought of leaving this world comes with nothing to linger on. Maybe I’m just an unlucky guy.
21stday ofMayin the year2012
Unappreciation
Is something people need to look back on. Others don’t do things for you because they see a benefit from it. Some people actually care.
I would like to wish all of my fellow EMT’s, Paramedics, Nurses and Physicians involved in Emergency Medical Services a happy, healthy and safe EMS Week 2012. It is not very often when EMT’s or Paramedics get recognized for the work we do out in the field. I would also like to thank all members of the EMS community for the work they do and I know that I wouldn’t be myself without being involved in EMS.
Happy EMS Week 2012 to all!
18thday ofAprilin the year2012
1stday ofAprilin the year2012
HOSA State was very fun. I ended up developing new friendships and getting closer to older friends than ever before. These folks were great, and I’ll always remember the good times we had. There are a couple of regrets that I now have, but none override the wonderful moments with the Garland crew.
25thday ofMarchin the year2012
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