"Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years; (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling." Quran 2:233

World Breastfeeding Week 2009, 1-7 August 2009

"Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to malnutrition, illness, and death in these situations. Whatever the emergency - from earthquake to conflict, from floods to the flu pandemic-the story is the same: breastfeeding is a lifeline and a shield that protects infants in emergencies.

When an emergency strikes, simple measures can make all the difference in the world. Emergency preparedness is the key to quick appropriate actions. Mothers need to be secure and have priority access to food for the family, water, shelter and safe places to breastfeed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommendations - early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age and continued breastfeeding for two years or beyond - are even more critical in emergencies. Breastfeeding is the one safe and secure source of food and fluid for infants - instantly available, providing active protection against illness and keeping an infant warm and close to his/her mother. It also reduces the risk of post-partum haemorrhage in the mother, the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. In the challenging and risky environment of an emergency, how infants are fed is key to their survival." [1]

Source:

[1] http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/images/press_release.pdf