Nourishing Resilience # 2 

IYCF-E Rapid Needs Assessment – Water Safety 

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This second training session builds on the foundations from session one and turns toward practical skills for supporting families in an emergency. We revisit the purpose and use of the rapid needs assessment, then spend time on safe water. We discuss why it is a vital component of protecting infants and young children, how emergencies disrupt access, and what responders can realistically do in low-resource or rapidly changing conditions. The session also explores how local culture and community norms shape families’ decisions, using examples from Appalachian communities to highlight strength, self-reliance, and potential barriers to accepting help. Participants practice applying these ideas through scenario work, reflect on how to respond with respect and clarity, and continue building the mindset needed to support infant and young child feeding safely in their own communities.

Topics with time stamps:

• 0:00 – Introduction
• 0:00 – Session overview: Rapid Needs Assessment and Water Safety
• 0:00 – Introduction to the Rapid Needs Assessment
• 0:00 – Culture and community context (Appalachian norms, storytelling, self-reliance, breastfeeding norms, milk sharing)
• 0:00 – Using the RNA tools (review and practice)
• 0:00 – Applying RNA findings in the field
• 0:00 – Water safety basics (safe water needs, emergency disruptions, myths about bottled water)
• 0:00 – Water treatment, sanitizing feeding items, and practical decision-making
• 0:00 – Scenario discussion and application
• 0:00 – Homework
• 0:00 – Q&A

Session 2 – Homework Summary

1. Assemble a Cold Sanitation Kit
2. Complete the E-Learning Module on Feeding Basics
3. Practice cleaning & sanitizing feeding items when only unsafe water is available
4. Complete the evaluation for this session

Homework Handouts

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If you find this training helpful, please support our efforts with a financial donation. Click below and select “SAFE Team” to earmark for IYCF-E education and disaster response support.

Handouts, Links & Resources

	SAFE Infant Feeding Quick Reference Guide This is the final version of the handout booklet we distributed in western NC after Helene. Includes instructions for: Cleaning Feeding Items / Limpieza de Artículos de Alimentación Infantil Sanitizing Feeding Items / Desinfección de los Artículos de Alimentación Infantil Cup Feeding Infants / Alimentación con Vaso Hand Expression / La extracción de leche con las manos Powdered Formula Preparation / Fórmula Infantil Comercial en Polvo Supporting Chestfeeding/Breastfeeding in Stressful Situations / Apoyo a la lactancia en situaciones estresantes Human Milk Storage Guidelines / Guía para almacenar la leche humana Formula Storage Guidelines / Guía para almacenar formula infantil This booklet may be used in emergency response situations as-is, or co-branded with your organization contact information. SAFE Infant Feeding Quick Reference Guide
	Bleach Alternative Notes Notes and facts about cold water purification alternatives other than liquid bleach. https://safeinfantfeeding.org/app/uploads/2025/12/Bleach-Alternatives-Notes.pdf
	Water Filters Meeting WHO Standards 3 *** are better! https://safeinfantfeeding.org/app/uploads/2025/12/WHO-Water-Treatment-Solutions.pdf

Thanks to our Sponsors

We express our gratitude to our sponsors that made this training possible:

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