The Code and Emergencies
• The Code is still in force in emergencies.
• The Code does not prohibit the use of
BMS during emergencies, only the way in
which they are procured, packaged and
distributed.
LEBANON, 2006
Supplies of BMS should be targeted to infants
(Violation Article 6.6, 1994 Resolution)
- INGOs & local NGOs provided formula to all mothers
- especially in ‘child boxes’.
- Govt Relief Committee distributed ‘child’s kits’ to
Municipalities - distributed according to economic
need (>27,000 according to their website 27/9/06)
- Post-conflict an INGO gave Municipalities ‘Village
kits’ containing formula (25 boxes x 24 cans) & baby
food (80 units)
Donated (free) supplies of BMS should not be
part of the health care system (1994 Resolution)
Around Sour: Baby milk formula and diapers were
provided for 1,500 babies [given as ‘baby kits’ including
formula & bottles to hospitals, Municipalities & directly
to IDPs]
Saïda: Hygiene and cooking kits, blankets, bed sheets,
and baby milk formula were distributed to around
20,000 displaced people.
Jezzine: The donations included blankets, mattresses,
enough baby milk formula for 2,000 babies,
Labels should be ‘in an appropriate language’ &
‘easily readable & understandable’
(Violation Article 9.2)
- INGOs & local NGOs distributed formula to
mothers that were in a foreign language
- Foreign governments donated formula to the
Lebanese government (HRC) that were not in
Arabic.
There should be no text that idealises the use
of BMS or claims it is as good as breastmilk
(Violation Article 9.2)
Important Notice states:
‘It contains all vitamins
and minerals known to
be essential for the
healthy development of
the infant and is based
on the same formula as
mother's milk’
Additionally it does not
advise that it should only
be used on the advice of
a health worker
Complementary
food
(potential violation
of Article 9.3).
Mothers provided with the wrong type of
formula for their child’s age.
E.g. Local NGO gave
Fabimilk 2 (a follow-on
milk) to mother while
an IDP
- her child was only 2
½ months old
Mother who ‘tried’ her sample tin of formula.
Code Article 7.7 – Health workers should not give
samples of infant formula (‘sample’ means ‘single or
small quanitities of a product provided without cost)
Violations include things that
ARE NOT DONE!
Seemingly none of the following were done by
an INGO or local NGO:
(i) distribution of BMS linked to training on safe
preparation, home follow-up & regular weight
monitoring (Violation Article 6.5)
(ii) systems/programmes to protect, promote &
support breastfeeding (Violation 1994.)
(iii) Continued supplies of BMS for infant (Violation
Article 6.7)
Examples of Code violations in emergencies INDONESIA
Companies:
- In Java post earthquake donations had been
received by the Provincial Health Office directly
from the manufacturer (Violation Article 5.2)
Foreign Governments:
- Java - foreign government donated cartons of
formula in a foreign language (Article 9.2)
NGO’s:
Bantul - an INGO distributed boxes
including formula to local health cadres
(Violation article WHA 47.5 (1994)
Pundong - boxes of food supplies including
infant formula were distributed to families
even with no children (as part of general
ration) (Violation article 6.6)
- Jedis - infant formula was distributed as
incentive/reward for partaking in measles
& tetanus campaign (Violation 6.2)
The Code and YOU!
• Training on the Code:
- ‘Making Sense of the Code’ Training
material – ICDC
- Week course on the Code – ICDC