The World Food Programme (WFP) announced the publication of a new "Report on

the Cambodia 1998 Joint Baseline Survey of UNICEF CASD and WFP Target Areas"

on Dec 29.

The report includes findings taken from a study conducted in May and June 1998 in

124 villages in 13 provinces. More than 1,200 households were interviewed by five

teams of trained Cambodian enumerators, who also collected anthropometric and hemoglobin

measures on as many mothers of young children.

High levels of childhood malnutrition were documented. Nearly 20% of the children

6-59 months were "at least moderately wasted" while 61% were "at least

moderately underweight", according to a WFP statement. These figures are higher

than the national figures of 13% and 52% respectively.

The survey also documented for the first time levels of anemia in a field setting.

The rate of anemia in children 6-59 months of age was 82% while 69% of non-pregnant

mothers were classified as anemic. For pregnant women, 74% were reported to be anemic.

As well, 24% of the families surveyed responded in the affirmative when asked if

there were any days in 1997 when they went without eating due to lack of food or

money.