Joint Statement on maternal, infant and young child nutrition in the context of hurricane Melissa | Caribbean countries

On 29 October, in response to Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, we joined our partners in issuing the below joint statement calling for urgent action to protect the nutrition and care of pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children, and to ensure safe, age-appropriate food in line with WHO recommendations.

Read the full statement in English, in French, and Spanish.  

NUTRITION UNDER THREAT: Joint Statement on maternal, infant and young child nutrition in the context of the emergency caused by hurricane Melissa in Caribbean countries.

The Global Nutrition Cluster, FAO, PAHO, UNICEF and WFP urge all involved in the response to the  Hurricane Melissa emergency in the Caribbean to provide timely, appropriate support for the nutrition  and care of pregnant and lactating women, infants, and young children. This is essential to protect  survival, health, and development, and to prevent malnutrition, illness, and death. They also call on  those involved in food assistance and distribution to ensure healthy, age-appropriate food options are  provided, in line with WHO recommendations for a balanced diet. 

BACKGROUND

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, children under two face heightened risks of malnutrition,  illness, and death. Globally recommended Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, such as early  initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, timely introduction of safe and age appropriate complementary foods, and continued breastfeeding up to two years, are critical to protecting child  health, especially in emergencies. 

However, these practices are often disrupted by factors such as untargeted distribution of breast-milk substitutes  (BMS), like infant formula, maternal stress, misinformation, breakdown of support systems, poor sanitation, and  limited access to food and essential services. In emergency settings, BMS, like infant formula, should only be  used as a last resort. They lack the immune-protective properties of breast milk and are frequently unsafe to  prepare due to contaminated water, inadequate hygiene, and caregiver inexperience. Improper use can lead to  infections, malnutrition, and even death, particularly in emergency settings where hygienic preparation,  sustained supply, and health system support cannot be guaranteed. Protecting and promoting breastfeeding is  a life-saving intervention during crises. 

Disruptions to food systems in Caribbean countries following Hurricane Melissa may increase reliance on food  assistance. When this assistance includes unhealthy foods such as ultra-processed, high-calorie, and nutrient poor foods, it undermines appropriate complementary feeding for children aged 6–23 months, increases the  risk of overweight and poses both immediate and long-term threats to child health. 

At the same time, protecting the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding women is essential. In emergencies,  their nutritional needs are often overlooked, yet they are among the most vulnerable. Ensuring adequate  nutrition helps reduce maternal mortality, prevent low birthweight, and safeguard the health and survival of both  mothers and their infants.

CALLS FOR ATTENTION

1. The endorsing organizations of this statement urge all responders to identify the needs of breastfeeding mothers early on and provide adequate protection and support. Breastfeeding saves children’s lives, supports their growth and development, prevents malnutrition, ensures food security for infants, protects maternal and child health, reduces financial pressure on families, supports loving relationships and increases educational attainment. Breastfeeding is especially critical in the current situation as it provides a safe, sustained source of nutrition / critical protection against infection in unsanitary conditions or where access to clean water is compromised. The creation of a supportive environment (e.g. creation of mother and baby areas, protection from inappropriate distributions) and the provision of skilled breastfeeding support, including for new mothers, is critical for child survival.
    
2. Responders are called upon to help protect the needs of infant and young children who are not breastfed and to minimize the risks they are exposed to. Infants who are fed with BMS such as infant formula are at increased risk of illness, malnutrition and even death. Even in populations accustomed to using BMS such as infant formula, their use carries additional risks in this emergency environment due to infectious disease environment, poor access to supplies, lack of fuel, lack of equipment, lack of clean water, poor access to healthcare and feeding support. Infants who are dependent on infant formula should be urgently identified, assessed and targeted with a package of essential support (including sustained BMS supply, equipment and supplies for hygienic preparation, individual-level, context specific advice, practical training on safe preparation and regular follow up), to minimise risks to both breastfed and non-breastfed children.  Consult the Operational Guidance for Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IFE, 2017) for further guidance.
    
3. In accordance with internationally accepted guidelines,all stakeholders are advised NOT to call for, support, accept or distribute donations of BMS (including infant formula), other milk products, complementary foods, and feeding equipment (such as bottles and teats). They place the lives of both breastfed and non-breastfed infants at risk. Necessary BMS supplies must be provided as part of a sustained package of coordinated care based on assessed need; and should be Code-compliant. In case dried milk products are distributed, these can be mixed with food for distribution to use as a complementary food in children over six months of age. Where milk powder is commonly used or widely available in a population, it is important to recommend and provide practical guidance to incorporate into cooked family meals and advise against use as a BMS. Consult the Operational Guidance for Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IFE, 2017) for further guidance.
    
4. Do not include purchased or donated supplies of breastmilk substitutes (such as infant formula), milk products (such as powdered milk), bottles and teats as part of a general or blanket distribution to the emergency affected population. To report offers of donations, untargeted distributions or obtain guidance on appropriate procedures for handling confiscated products, contact UNICEF and/or local health authorities.
    
5. We call for prompt, collective action to ensure access to adequate amounts of appropriate, safe, complementary foods[1] alongside the information and means required to safely feed older infants and young children. It is essential that food assistance provided to affected populations in the Caribbean includes healthy, diverse, and culturally appropriate options aligned with WHO recommendations for a balanced diet. This means prioritizing fruits and vegetables with minimal added salt or sugar; legumes and pulses; tinned oily fish in water; unsalted nuts; wholegrain cereals and starchy foods; and healthy fats such as olive or canola oil. Safe drinking water should be the primary beverage provided. At the same time, it is critical to avoid distributing unhealthy foods, including those high in added sugars, salt, and saturated fats, such as sugary drinks, salty snacks, and ultra-processed products, as these can contribute to poor dietary habits and increase the risk of non-communicable diseases. Consult the Operational Guidance for Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IFE, 2017) for further guidance on appropriate complementary food provisions and essential interventions, and on indications for micronutrient supplementation.
    
6. We call upon responders to ensure pregnant and breastfeeding women have access to food, water, shelter, health care, protection services, psychosocial support and other interventions to meet essential needs. The endorsing organizations of this statement recognise pregnant and breastfeeding women have heightened nutritional needs and that maternal undernutrition during pregnancy puts both the woman and her unborn child at risk and is a risk factor for infant malnutrition. A mother’s physical and mental wellbeing is also an important determinant of her ability to feed and care for her children. 
    

SIGNED BY:

Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and  World Food Programme (WFP).

Date: 29 October 2025