INTRODUCTION
 • Access to food and adequate nutrition is critical to 
  survival in an emergency situation.
 • A nutrition emergency exists when there is risk of 
  or  an  actual  rise  in  mortality  due  to  acute 
  malnutrition.
 • Malnutrition can be the most serious public health 
  problem in an emergency.
 • Malnutrition    is   a   pathological 
  condition  which  arises  from  the 
  consumption  of  meals  containing 
  excess    or   inadequate     essential 
  nutrients  necessary  for  survival, 
  growth,  well  being  as  well  as 
  productivity  at  work  thus  causing 
  the  person  to  come  down  with 
  health problems. 
 • The necessary nutrients may involve 
  calories,  proteins,  carbohydrates, 
  vitamin or minerals.
 • When  one  speaks  of  malnutrition  during  a  food  and 
    nutrition emergency, people are generally referring to rates 
    of wasting/acute malnutrition and severe malnutrition.
 • However, malnutrition during an emergency encompasses 
    micronutrient deficiencies and stunting/chronic malnutrition 
    .
 •   In  a  nutrition  emergency,  the  prevalence  of  acute 
    malnutrition   and    of   severe   malnutrition    increases 
    significantly.
 • The prevalence of acute malnutrition,including severe 
    acute malnutrition, can be 10% to 15% among children 
    under five.
 • Older children, adolescents, adults and the elderly can also 
  be acutely malnourished, but are less likely to show wasting 
  to the extent that young children do.
 • Pregnant women are also vulnerable to acute malnutrition. 
  Maternal underweight is a risk factor for low birth weight 
  and increases the risks of maternal mortality.
 • The  term  malnutrition  refers  to  the  consequences  of  a 
  combination of inadequate dietary intake and disease as 
  shown in Figure below
 •   The  consequences  of  inadequate  dietary  intake  and 
  disease are particularly pronounced during periods of rapid 
  growth under the age of five.
  Causes of Malnutrition