Emergency Nutrition Network

The Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) is a network of humanitarian agencies and researchers that supports and facilitates activities that increase the effectiveness of emergency food and nutrition interventions. The planning for the ENN was done in 1995 at a meeting sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the network began operating in November 1996.

Humanitarian agencies sometimes provide interventions and food that are not always logistically or culturally appropriate. In addition, many agencies have high staff turnover, inadequate record keeping, and limited resources, all of which can delay access to appropriate information at critical times. The goal of the ENN is to improve the effectiveness of emergency food and nutrition programs by:

• Providing a forum for relief workers to exchange ideas and experiences
• Helping network agencies work more efficiently and effectively
• Providing field staff and relief workers with knowledge of current and relevant research
• Helping researchers to identify priorities and constraints of the emergency sector

ENN primarily operates through a newsletter, Field Exchange. The institutional base for ENN is Trinity College, Dublin. Project staff includes a full-time coordinator and a part-time technical consultant. Representatives from key agencies are available for technical support. ENN is currently funded by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, MSF International, Concern Worldwide, the Canadian International Development Agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Health Organization, UNHCR, and other organizations. Partnership in the network is not dependent on any financial contributions.

see also Disaster Relief Organizations; Famine.

Delores C. S. James

Internet Resources

Dublin Business Innovation Center. "Company Profile: Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN)." Available from <http://www.dbic.ie/ENN.htm>

Emergency Nutrition Network. "About the ENN." Available from <http://www.ennonline.net>

One World. "Emergency Nutrition Network." Available from <http://www.oneworld.org>