• IFE Core Group
• IFE Mandate
• IFE Activities
• Guide for the general public
  • The harsh reality
  • What should happen in emergencies?
  • How does this all look on the ground?
  • Myths that put babies at risk
  • But wouldn't aid agencies and health authorities make sure that babies aren't harmed?
  • What is the scale of the problem?
  • Do YOU want to help?
  • Your feedback
  • Key contacts
  • Further reading and resources
  • Sample letters
• Resource library
• Training and meeting plans
• Networking
• Key contacts
• Translations and adaptations

What is the scale of the problem?

Harmful aid in the form of poorly targeted distribution of powdered milk and infant formula has been a huge problem in many humanitarian emergencies over the last 20 years.

The scale of the problem is such that emergency areas can become awash with donations of infant formula and powdered milk. For instance, after the earthquake in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2006), 70-80% of babies in the affected area were given donated infant formula despite low levels of formula use pre-emergency. As the Indonesian health minister described, “Diarrheal disease outbreak was a concern because babies were frequently given instant formula milk by their mothers instead of being breast fed…because survivors had received a large amount of donated supplies of breast milk substitutes.” Although breastfed babies may be most harmed by such untargeted distribution of infant formula, poorly managed donations also harm babies who cannot be breastfed because their carers do not receive the necessary practical and educational support to minimise risk.

Inappropriate distribution of powdered milk and infant formula can continue to adversely impact babies for years. For example, the humanitarian response to the 1988 earthquake in Armenia included the widespread distribution of infant formula by aid agencies resulting in a drastic drop in breastfeeding rates. More than a decade after the earthquake, health authorities recognised that the repercussions of this aid were continuing to be felt and were still harming babies in Armenia. The post-earthquake aid had changed the norms of feeding practice and introduced routine formula feeding. One paediatrician stated that, “Mothers who were able to feed their children with breastmilk gave artificial food to their children without even understanding what they did.” In developing countries, health and sanitation services are often poor, infant mortality rates are high and even in non-emergency situations, formula feeding remains a risky proposition. Since untargeted distribution of infant formula during an emergency can have a sustained negative impact on breastfeeding rates, it can continue to contribute to the ill health and deaths of babies for many years.