Carol brought up a worrisome practice regarding the donation of infant
formula for distribution in Kosovo. The World Health Organization just asked
that this not be done. Donations of outdated formula as well as outdated
medications and unneeded drugs have been pouring in. Most infant formula that
is donated is in powdered form. Where would clean water come from and how
would bottles and artificial nipples be cleaned? Any donations would need to
be provided to an infant for as long as he would need formula, not just for a
short period of time until he was resettled.

The Code has guidelines for formula donation, WHO has guidelines for formula
donation, ILCA just published its statement on infant feeding in emergencies
which is available on the ILCA web site. These are all good places to access
and use to educate whomever you talked with about what is really needed in
Kosovo.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

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