An evaluation of supplementary feeding in Somali refugee camps

Supplementary feeding programmes (SFP) that were functioning in Somali refugee camps were evaluated in March 1981 in order to describe their process of operation and to measure their effect on the refugees' nutritional status. While those children enrolled in SFPs gained weight, many malnourished children in camp had not been identified so that the programme's overall effectiveness was reduced. Even among children who attended SFPs regularly, the rate of weight gain diminished rapidly each succeeding month of attendance. This underlines that supplementary feeding is a short-term, remedial measure in disaster relief and should be quickly incorporated into a broader plan for relief assistance so that resources can be used most efficiently.