Introduction
Humanitarian efforts are underway in the Asian
countries affected by the massive earthquake and resulting tsunamis that
devastated the region on December 26, 2004. Relief operations initiated by international
and regional groups are acting urgently to prevent further tragedy and loss of
life of the hundreds and thousands of survivors that will be vulnerable to the
next wave of infectious disease and malnutrition. The World Food Program of the United Nations
has endorsed an emergency approach to provide supplementation with
micronutrients in disaster situations as a cost-effective way to save lives and
prevent disease where food is limited and sanitation poor. Supplementation with micronutrients (SUM)
offers a unique set of advantages as a first-line response in emergency aid:
(1) high impact, (2) low cost, (3) minimum storage needs, (4) little if no
preparation, (5) easily transportable and (6) a gateway to communities and
individuals for assessment and implementation …