Nutritional therapy and support are lifesaving interventions of significant importance in protracted crises due to conflict and population displacements. Women and children are disproportionately affected and unable to access adequate, nutritious diets to meet their daily requirements and lead normal lives. A coordinated nutritional therapeutic support, prevention and response brings together UN agencies, NGOs, CSOs and other local partners in Myanmar to protect the health of crisis-affected and other vulnerable people across the country.

Failure to manage malnutrition risks increasing malnutrition-related morbidity and mortality among children and pregnant and lactating women.  Resultantly, preventable but serious long-term consequences like delayed physical and cognitive development in children, poor learning capacity and school performance affects many. In crises context situation like  Myanmar, sub-optimal investment in preventative nutrition responses for women increases the likelihood of low-birth-weight babies who have poor immune systems, are more susceptible to childhood illness and mortality, and are at higher risk of chronic diseases later in life. Micronutrient deficiency diseases including anaemia will likely rise if micronutrient supplements or fortified foods are not provided to the children and pregnant and lactating women (PLWs) in vulnerable communities, particularly those enduring humanitarian crisis. The ripple effects extend to the economy, as undernutrition contributes to average losses in national productivity and economic growth ranging from 3% to 16% of GDP, particularly in low-income settings.

The nutrition cluster website includes cluster events, meetings and resources that help optimal response and coverage of nutrition programmes across different partners, geographical areas, and other clusters.