Vulnerable groups in nutritional emergencies

The population groups most nutritionally vulnerable in emergencies can be categorized
according to their:
a) Physiological vulnerability- This is a form of vulnerability as pertains to groups that are
more prone to crises due to high requirements amidst reduced capacity to seek for solution to the crises like search for food. For example;
- Children under five children years are vulnerable as their nutrient requirements are high
to support growth and development. They are also vulnerable to diseases and infections
that increases the nutrient needs. This is aggravated by the fact that they do not make
food decisions and cannot feed themselves. Low birth weight babies- their requirements
are high for catch up growth. Some may not be having the energy to breastfeed. They are
vulnerable to diseases and infections. 0-24-month-old children- their growth rate is high
thus they require a lot of nutrients for both growth and development
- Lactating and pregnant mothers are physiologically compromised with high nutritional
requirements and the work output to generate food is low.
- Elderly, disabled and people with chronic illness have low productivity and the condition
calls for dependency on other people services including getting food and even consuming
it. In some cases resources are diverted to medical bills.
b) Geographical vulnerability- This are groups of people who are exposed to disasters by virtue
of being near the disaster occurring zone. For example people living in drought- or flood-prone
areas or in areas of conflict. Marginalized people are families in low potential area and food
production is low, food delivery from other areas is a challenge and low food accessibility due to low income
c) Political vulnerability- This vulnerability occurs due to political related instabilities for example the post election violence. In most case these lead to displaced populations’ and refugee status. These groups are cut from their farms and businesses and thus are dependent on others fully due to limited coping strategies. They also go away with few resources and in most case they are not able to access health care services.

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Titany answered the question on November 11, 2021 at 11:53