Nourishing Baby Lana: Health
The conflict that broke out in Lebanon this year has forced many families to flee their homes. One of those families was Mira’s (not her real name).
Mira, her husband, and their two young children found refuge at a shelter for displaced families. Their troubles, however, didn’t end there. Mira’s infant daughter, Lana, was only seven months old. Even though she was still being breastfed, Lana wasn’t receiving the nutrition she needed—and the food parcels and hot meals given out at the shelter weren’t right for infants.
“I felt powerless as a mother,” said Mira, “because I couldn’t provide my baby with the food she needed.”
However, IOCC’s programs, which provide support for displaced families in Lebanon, include support for early childhood development (ECD), and nutritional care (with funding from UNICEF). An IOCC ECD counselor came to visit Mira and Lana, providing guidance for continuing breastfeeding in emergency situations, and advice on ECD.
The counselor also supplied jars of age-appropriate, ready-to-eat baby food, plus special supplements to make sure Lana would receive the vitamins she needed for healthy growth and development.
“I started applying the ECD tips provided by the counselor, such as responsive interaction and play, and had already noticed that Lana was becoming more active and interactive,” explained Mira. Mira’s three-year-old son Fady (not his real name) was also screened for malnutrition and was given high-energy biscuits and micronutrient powder to boost his nutritional intake.
“My husband is spending more quality time with Fady through play and storytelling, using simple and safe materials available in the shelter to support Fady’s emotional wellbeing and development,” said Mira. “Now, I feel relieved,” she adds. “Thank you for supporting us; you helped protect my children during a crisis.”
