BEP (balanced energy-protein supplements) for PBWGs

Existing ANC/PNC services for women should be the delivery platform of choice. Where these don’t exist, activities should be merged with ongoing health platforms/initiatives for pregnant or breastfeeding women and girls. It may also be integrated into other health and nutrition services or community platforms. In situations of food insecurity:

• BEP is recommended to be targeted to PBWGs with low MUAC (<23cm) when prevalence of low PBWG MUAC is 20–39% or IPC AMN is 2 or; or IPC AFI is 3 or GAM is 10–15%
• BEP is recommended to be provided to all PBWG when prevalence of low PBWG MUAC is 40% or higher, IPC AMN or AFI is 4 or 5 or where GAM prevalence ≥15%

All pregnant or breastfeeding adolescent girls (defined as <19 years of age) should be included in BEP supplementation interventions regardless of their MUAC measurement.

• Balanced energy–protein supplements (BEP) can be locally produced or comprised of local foods. Alternatively, WFP may have products available for use. BEP is a generic term for supplements that exist in various forms, including fortified cereals, biscuits, dairy products, beverages, or powdered supplements in sachets, or can be made using locally sourced ingredients. Lipid-based nutrient supplements provide >50% of energy from fat (including essential fatty acids). When these supplements are provided in medium‑and large‑quantity, they can be considered a BEP. A lipid-based nutrient supplement formulated to provide micronutrients in the same quantities as UNIMAPP MMS. Fortified blended foods, including Corn/Wheat Soya Blend Plus, which are commonly used in supplementary feeding programmes are also BEP. - UNICEF, 2024.
• Programming for PBWG should always consider how interventions support PBWG’s own agency, respond to concerns and suggestions from PBWG themselves and seek to support PBWG to make decisions regarding their own nutrition. It is also important to consider the roles and responsibilities of men/boys and other key stakeholders in the household and local community to ensure that PBWG are supported to consume BEP and prioritise their health and that of their infant.
• The level of nutrition vulnerability is ideally assessed by the prevalence of low MUAC (<23 cm) in PBWG. Where these data are not available, other data sources should be considered, such as IPC Acute Malnutrition (IPC AMN), IPC Acute Food Insecurity (IPC AFI) severity classification, and/ or prevalence of global acute malnutrition, along with other contextual considerations that impact nutrition, such as disease outbreaks and/or population displacement.