Challenges of Nutrition Management in the Flood Crisis of Golestan Province in North of Iran during 2019: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background and Objective: One of the most important attempts in crisis is the nutrition management of affected people during and following the disaster. In March 2019, floods occurred in towns and villages on the outskirts of the Gorganrood River in Golestan province, northern Iran. This study conducted to explain the challenges of nutrition management in the flood crisis of Golestan province. Methods: In this qualitative study, 31 people affected by floods, urban and provincial managers and experts involved in crisis management were selected by purposive sampling method. Data were collected using an interview guide and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were recorded and transcribed and analyzed using the content analysis method and Atlas.ti 8 software. Results: The managerial challenges included planning, organization, coordination, control, and evaluation. The executive challenges contained food preparation, food distribution, and monitoring. The other challenges included political, economic, cultural, and ecological challenges. Conclusion: Most of the respondents emphasized the irregularity and confusion in nutrition management during the flood and considered it as a result of managerial challenges, executive challenges, political, economic, cultural and ecological challenges.

Keywords

• floods
• disasters
• nutrition policy