Thought I would forward the text of this email I received from IBFAN today:

Magda Sachs, UK

The United Nations is highlighting the plight of refugees and displaced
people in Pakistan and Afghanistan (see, UN Agencies joint statement
http://www.unicef.org/newsline/01pr75.htm and UNICEF press release
http://www.unicef.org/newsline/01pr74.htm).

What is the most appropriate and effective way to approach infant feeding in
emergency/refugee situations?

This question is addressed by IBFAN's publication: "Infant Feeding in
Emergencies" now available on the IBFAN international website at
http://www.ibfan.org/english/activities/emergencies/ife01.html

Following consultation with leading experts, UN agencies and NGOs with
extensive field experience, IBFAN has drawn together best practice
recommendations.

DON'T DONATE BREASTMILK SUBSTITUTES is a key warning.  Experience shows that
donations may be distributed and used indiscrimately, causing more harm than
good.  The willingness of the baby food industry to exploit emergency
situations to open up markets does not help matters.

****
"Our maternity hospitals were flooded with breastmilk substitutes brought in
by humanitarian aid agencies. This nearly destroyed our breastfeeding
programmes."

Dr. Anahit Demirchian, Chief of the National Programme of Promotion and
Protection of Breastfeeding, Armenia, 1996
****

IBFAN presents more appropriate alternatives.  Such as the Mother and Baby
Tents set up in Albanian refugee camps during the Kosovo crisis.
Baby-friendly emergency shelters in Honduras following Hurricane Mitch.
Breastfeeding corners in Tanzania in camps for refugees fleeing Burundi.

When breastfeeding is not possible the options in order of priority are:

Expressed Breastmilk
Wet-nursing*
Generically packaged infant formula**
Locally purchased branded formula**
Stop gap home-made recipes

(*/** see the report for further information)

This IBFAN briefing is intended for policy makers, programme managers and
field workers from agencies involved in emergergency relief, donors,
journalists, and other interested parties.  It can be viewed on-line.  You
will find details of how to obtain printed copies on the site.

Don't make a bad situation worse.  Be informed.

Please distribute this email widely.

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html