Experts in the landlocked central African country of Chad expect a better harvest in 2013, following the devastating droughts that affected the Sahel region in 2012. But malnutrition is not a problem that can be resolved in a single year. Hunger is an entrenched public health problem which is why International Medical Corps’ support is so important to communities in eastern Chad.
International Medical Corps has been working in the Djourf-Alhamar department of Chad, supporting refugees from the conflict in neighboring Sudan and host populations. The challenge each year is to make sure the limited resources can be shared by everyone, including the most vulnerable.
In March 2013, International Medical Corps completed a district-wide nutrition screening of all children under 5 and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Our community-based approach to managing malnutrition makes sure that every individual at risk of going hungry will now have access to food or be referred to nutrition services in local health centers.