Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

We know that breastfeeding is good for babies. In situations like earthquakes and floods, children who are breastfed have a greater chance of survival. It is difficult to breastfeed in a disaster relief camp. Mother often stop to breastfeed their babies because of little privacy, and the absence of nurses or other people who can help them with breastfeeding. Pakistan often faces disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Many young children end up in disaster relief camps and are at a higher risk to die due to migration and the discontinuation of breastfeeding. My research will focus on breastfeeding practices of mothers in the disaster relief camps in Pakistan. During my research in the relief camps, I will find out what leads mothers to continue or stop breastfeeding. I will also observe the situation in the camps and meet with volunteers who work there. This study is a first step to reduce deaths of young children in disaster relief camps in Pakistan. My research will help relief workers in Canada to improve breastfeeding practices of mothers living in relief camps globally. It will also help in creating plans to promote breastfeeding and decrease deaths of young children. My research will be useful to plan steps for breastfeeding mothers in Canada, especially those who are at risk of becoming homeless.