The study covered a wide range oftopics, making data collection especially challenging. Keyinformants were sometimes new to their posts and were unableto provide details on specific programs, policies, orcoverage rates. Few countries in Latin America and theCaribbean mainstream into their crisis and emergency plansprotection of the nutritional status of mothers and childrenin the first 1,000 days of life. All countries shouldreinforce the promotion and protection of breastfeeding inemergencies, notably by providing an enabling space formothers to safely breastfeed their children and by managingthe provision of artificial milk formula. It is concerningthat during emergencies most countries provide powderedartificial formula instead of ready-to-use artificial milkformula to infants that cannot breastfeed, greatlyincreasing the risks of illnesses and malnutrition as aresult of inappropriate dilution and unsafe water. Allcountries need to reinforce their monitoring and evaluationsystems, including surveillance of food and nutritioninsecurity. While most countries have some form ofmonitoring system, few of those systems are computerized,which impairs timely and informed decision making.Systematic evaluations of emergency and crisis response areseldom performed. A number of countries would benefit fromupdating their nutrition policy and protocols based on thelatest available evidence. Of particular importance areupdates to the prevention and treatment of micronutrientdeficiencies with micronutrient powders; treatment of acutemalnutrition, notably with the use of ready-to-usesupplements; and efficient treatment of diarrhea through theuse of oral rehydration solution and zinc. Most countrieswill benefit from adapting the food and water rations givenin emergencies to the specific nutritional needs of pregnantand lactating women and children <2 years of age.
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