Dear Readers, We have updated our Guidelines for Gender Sensitive Disaster Management, 2006 based on the comments and suggestions of friends from WABA, and upon the consent of APWLD members who were involved in the "Survey of Women's Human Rights Violations in the Aftermath of the Tsunami in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka and the October 8, 2005 Earthquake in Pakistan" project. Changes made in this new version of the Guidelines are with respect to infant milk formula distribution during emergencies and disasters. APWLD firmly believes in food sovereignty, especially in the context of women. Therefore, we affirm our support for breastfeeding as part of our Food Sovereignty campaign. Breastfeeding is the most scientific method of ensuring the health of children, as well as a source of emotional bonding of the child to the mother. We in no way support infant milk formula, and the use of bottles for feeding children. These have proven to be the cause of disease, death and malnutrition amongst infants especially in the developing world. In the revised version of the Guidelines please find added references and resources on Best Practices on infant and child feeding during emergencies. For your convenience, we have also provides some of linkages to these websites here for your perusal:
Please note that the material on page 8, from "Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response" Edited by the Sphere Project, published by Oxfam Publishing, 2000 is reproduced with the permission of Oxfam GB, Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford OX4 2JY, UK www.oxfam.org.uk. Oxfam GB does not necessarily endorse any text or activities that accompany the materials. Best, |