From policy to practice: challenges in infant feeding in emergencies during the Balkan crisis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Humanitarian Response
• International Policy

Background:

• Policy statements are essential but insufficient for preventing inappropriate infant feeding product use in emergencies.
• The Balkan crisis exemplified humanitarian agencies failing to adhere to international infant feeding policies.
• Translating infant feeding policies into effective practice remains a significant challenge in emergency settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the reasons behind the failure to implement infant feeding policies in emergency contexts.
• To document efforts made to uphold best practices during the Balkan crisis.
• To identify actionable strategies for improving infant feeding policy application in future emergencies.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of policy dissemination and implementation failures in humanitarian crises.
• Case study examination of the Balkan crisis regarding infant feeding practices.
• Review of institutional, logistical, and coordination factors influencing policy adherence.

Main Results:

• Key failures identified include weak policy institutionalization, excessive unsolicited donations, lack of monitoring, inadequate coordination, high correction costs, and cumulative poor practices.
• Despite challenges, efforts were made to uphold best practices during the Balkan crisis.
• The study highlights systemic issues hindering effective infant feeding policy application.

Conclusions:

• Effective implementation of infant feeding policies in emergencies requires robust institutionalization, improved coordination, and effective monitoring systems.
• Addressing unsolicited donations and the cumulative effects of poor practice is vital.
• Proactive and in-crisis actions are necessary to enhance policy application and protect vulnerable infants.