This policy paper captures the results of a 2005 meeting on community-based management of severe malnutrition in children. International experts and representatives from the World Food Programme, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Red Cross, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and ministries of health agreed on guiding principles for implementing community-based management of severe acute malnutrition and next steps for updating global recommendations and country-level health policies on managing severe acute malnutrition.