*EPF507 08/09/2002
USAID Study Says Malnutrition Poses Humanitarian Emergency to Palestinians
(United States says it will increase food assistance and nutritional contributions) (800)

By Stephen Kaufman
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington ?A study initiated and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has warned of a "distinct humanitarian emergency" among Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip due to malnutrition.

The findings of a comprehensive nutritional assessment were released August 5, based upon research collected by Care International and Johns Hopkins University, in coordination with Al Quds University in Jerusalem and the Global Management Consulting Group.

The study focused upon the difficulties of Palestinian households to feed family members in the qualities and quantities conducive to good health. The study found disturbing levels of malnutrition and anemia in its random sampling of 1000 households, beginning in May 2002.

For example, the survey found that 9.3 percent of Palestinian children under 5 years old suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition resulting from poor short-term conditions. Another 13.2 percent suffer from chronic malnutrition on a longer term, ranging from weeks to years. Those figures together show that one fifth of Palestinian children are suffering from malnutrition ?a rate of more than four times above that of a "normally nourished population," according to the study.

Malnutrition, due in part to an insufficient amount of iron, folic acid and dietary protein, leads to anemia, a condition that inhibits the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. This condition can decrease a person��s immunity from infectious diseases, cause fatigue and hinder physical and mental productivity. Children and expectant mothers are especially vulnerable, since anemia can impair a child��s learning and growth development, and can lead to premature delivery by pregnant women and infants with low birth weights, according to the study.

According to a USAID press release dated August 5, the United States will increase its food assistance contributions to the Palestinians though the World Food Program and the International Community of the Red Cross. It will also work to try to provide iron supplements to pregnant women and introduce iron-fortified grain into Palestinian markets, as well as arrange training on detection and treatment of malnutrition and anemia for Palestinian health officials.

Larry Garber, the director of the USAID��s West Bank and Gaza Mission, said in the press release that "the early detection of these trends will prompt the introduction of interventions that should avert the negative long-term consequences of malnutrition and iron deficiencies."

"Today��s acute malnutrition (an easily reversible state) will be tomorrow��s chronic malnutrition (less easily reversible), adding to already unacceptably high rates of chronic malnutrition, unless a variety of interventions ?economic, political, and health-related ?take place," concluded the study.

The study said the malnutrition was being caused by both the inability of food wholesalers and retailers to supply high protein and iron-rich foods due to marketplace disruptions, and the difficult economic conditions faced by many Palestinians that prevent them from being able to afford such items.

Despite the fact that food prices did not change during the period of the data collection, "a significant portion of the population cannot afford high protein foods and nearly a third have difficulty affording basic inexpensive staples such as bread and rice," said the survey.

"Nevertheless," it added, "clear evidence of market disruption, particularly for high protein foods, should be considered a contributing factor also."

"Market disruptions from curfews, closures, military incursions, border closures, and checkpoints affected key high protein foods, especially meat and poultry and dairy products, and in particular, infant formula and powdered milk," concluded the study.

The report��s introduction said that the study was the first "reliable, systematic assessment of food security and humanitarian indicators" since the current Palestinian uprising began in September 2000.

A final comprehensive report is expected in early September 2002, and "will make even clearer the more effective intervention strategies," said the study.

The full text of USAID��s preliminary nutritional assessment of the Palestinian population can be found in PDF format at http://www.usaid.gov/wbg/reports/Nutritional_Assessment.pdf.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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