Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Program Review Workshop for Rohingya Response

(CMAM) Program Review Workshop

On July 16, 2024, in Cox's Bazar, Concern Worldwide, together with UNICEF and the Nutrition Sector, reached a key milestone in the fight against acute malnutrition among Rohingya refugees. They held a two-day workshop on July 10 and 11 to review and implement the 2023 WHO guidelines for preventing and managing wasting and nutritional oedema in children under 5.

The workshop saw participation from a diverse range of stakeholders, including National Surveillance System (NSS) personnel from the camps, Nutrition Officers, Program Managers, Advisors at the Cox’s Bazar level, and a representative from the World Food Programme (WFP) in Dhaka. The event was inaugurated by the RCCC Civil Surgeon, alongside representatives from UNICEF and the Nutrition Sector, reflecting the high-level commitment to improving nutritional outcomes for the refugee population.

Key Activities and Discussions

The workshop began with an overview of the CMAM (Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition) program’s evolution since 2017. Participants engaged in detailed group work, reviewing each of the 21 recommendations and 12 best practice statements outlined in the updated WHO guidelines. These recommendations focus on the management of acute malnutrition, including therapeutic interventions in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SC), Outpatient Therapeutic Programs (OTP), Targeted Supplementary Feeding Programs (TSFP), Blanket Supplementary Feeding Programs (BSFP), and preventative measures. 

Technical experts examine carefully the current practices, challenges, and the potential impact of implementing these new guidelines within the Rohingya context. The discussions revealed that while several recommendations are already being implemented, others require piloting to assess their feasibility in the camp settings.

Outcomes and Forward Actions

The workshop concluded with a consensus on several key actions moving forward:

Analysis and Summarization: A detailed summary of the group work analysis against each recommendation and best practice will be completed within the week.

Guideline Updates: The current admission and discharge guidance document for the Rohingya response will be updated to address easily implementable actions by mid-September.

Pilot Projects: Camp-specific information will be gathered to inform decisions on a number of recommendations, with pilot projects set to be completed by the end of December.

Operational Guide Development: A light operational guide for CMAM tailored to the Rohingya response will be developed, ensuring alignment with the updated WHO guidelines and the ongoing efforts to rationalize and harmonize nutrition service delivery within the camps.

Lucy Lafferty, Senior Nutrition Advisor at Concern Worldwide, emphasized the importance of these steps, noting that the detailed and technical nature of the recommendations necessitates careful adaptation to the local context.

The workshop was hailed as a significant achievement for the CMAM Technical Working Group (TWG). The collaborative effort and the rigorous review process underscored the commitment of all stakeholders to enhance the nutritional well-being of the Rohingya population. The success of this workshop marks a pivotal step in the continuous improvement of nutrition service delivery in Cox's Bazar, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive the care they need.

Concern Worldwide extends its gratitude to all participants and collaborators, particularly UNICEF and the Nutrition Sector, for their invaluable contributions to this critical initiative.