5.5 Trends in Information Sharing and Learning
Several recent trends in information sharing and learning
between agencies that are of particular relevance to the nutrition of refugees
and displaced populations are discussed in this section, including
· the coordination
of activities within the nutrition sector of emergencies (including the
inter-agency group on emergency nutrition);
· the coordination of
information;
· the coordination and
prioritization of research activities.
Interagency Learning
During the early to mid-1990s a loose and informal network of
nutritional experts from various agencies was formed. This “interagency
group on emergency nutrition” was largely coordinated by UNHCR. The group
was set up to allow opportunities for networking, sharing, and exchanging
information and to move away from the concept of owning knowledge. More
recently, there has been further consolidation of the food and nutrition
sectors, involving information sharing and exchange through a number of key
agencies, independent consultants, and academic representatives. There has been
a general shift of emphasis to the factors underlying food security approaches
that is broadening into a more mature public nutrition and food security outlook
involving more agencies and other non-nutritionists such as economists and
public health specialists.
The meetings convened by the group have contributed to
improvements in applying standard procedures and protocols,k and the
development of a collective process of institutional learning. Some key
developments and advances in the field of nutrition in emergencies can be traced
to these meetings.8
k For example, the standard procedures
for estimating the prevalence of acute malnutrition in a population, and the
protocols for rehabilitation of the malnourished.48
Information Systems
The past few years have seen a significant increase in the
amount of information concerning emergency nutrition from various sources
available to nutritionists and the general public alike. Recent developments
include
· The establishment
of the Health Information Network for Advanced Planning (HINAP).l
HINAP is a joint project between WHO’S Department of Emergency and
Humanitarian Action (EHA) and CDC. HINAP provides structured health information
on communicable diseases, immunization, mortality, and nutrition organized by
country. HINAP targets potential risk areas around the world for mass population
movements. The information provided is regularly updated in the event of an
emergency so that programmes can be altered in light of changing circumstances.
It relies on experts in the field of early warning to identify target countries
and collaborates closely with other international agencies.
l HINAP information is
distributed at www.hinap.org/. Further information on listservers, CD-ROMS, and
hard-copy bulletins will also be available shortly.
· The establishment
of the e-mail discussion network “NGONUT,” which has prompted lively
discussions on a range of topics, including the rehabilitation of the severely
undernourished, the management of nutritional oedema, prevention and treatment
of anaemia, and the assessment of nutritional status in adolescents.
· The establishment of the
Emergency Nutrition Network’s quarterly newsletter, Field Exchange,
publishes articles, from the field and current research and evaluation
findings relevant to the emergency food and nutrition sector (see
www.tcd.ie/ENN).
· The increased dissemination of
programme information by various NGOs, UN aid agencies, and bilateral
organizations. During the Balkans region emergency many organizations,
including, for example, WFP, ACF, and USAID, published monthly, weekly, or daily
updates on the web concerning their activities in the region.
Applied Health and Nutrition Research in Emergencies
Particular progress has been made in coordinating and
prioritizing applied health and nutrition research needs in emergencies. During
the past two years, the Department of Emergency and Humanitarian Action of WHO
has led a process to formalize applied health and nutrition research to improve
the quality of humanitarian interventions. WHO recently published an inventory
of applied health research studies in emergency settings, which included 52
studies related to nutrition.38 The same department has also
published the results of a consultation called Applied Health Research
Priorities in Complex
Emergencies.50
