The World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with Manila City Health Department is currently conducting a two-month blanket supplementary feeding in Vitas, Tondo, Manila to mitigate the effects of El Niño by preventing acute malnutrition or wasting (thinness) among children 6-59 months old. The supplementary feeding started in February 11, 2016 and is being managed by Vitas Health Center led Medical Officer III Dr. Mary Grace Q. Aquino.

A total of 6,446 children aged 6-59 months are given “Plumpy’Sup™”, a nutritious, ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) that contains vitamins and minerals. It is a soft, peanut-butter-like food made of peanut paste, vegetable fat, soy protein isolate, whey, maltodextrin, sugar and cocoa. Plumpy’Sup does not need to be cooked or heated or mixed with other foods.

Each child will be given a total of 15 sachets of Plumpy’Sup per month for 2 months. The child must consume ½ sachet per day or 1 sachet every other day (Monday-Wednesday-Friday). Plumpy’Sup should be consumed by the child in between meals. Breastfed children should eat Pumpy’Sup in addition to breastmilk while older children or non-breastfed children should eat Plumpy’Sup in addition to other foods. Plumpy’Sup is not intended for children below 6 months as they should be exclusively breastfed and it should not also be given to children allergic to peanuts or cow’s milk.

Nurses and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of Vitas Health Center conduct lectures to mothers and caretakers to inform them of the project objectives, correct usage of the Plumpy’Sup, and guidelines of the supplementary feeding.

Before the feeding started in Vitas,Tondo, the children’s weight, height and mid-upper arm circumference were measured and they will again be measured at the end of the 2-month feeding project to check for nutrition improvement. (TAR/MEVF/NNCNCR)

Reference and photo credit: Plumpy’Sup Supplementary Brochure printed by World Food Programme