World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

This is the first in a series of four strategic evaluations related to the transition from food aid to food assistance.  The evaluation analyzed WFP’s role in social protection and safety nets, which are increasingly seen as important mechanisms for promoting development.  The evaluation found that WFP is already contributing to social protection and safety nets, especially for some activities.  However, institutionalizing these approaches more broadly within WFP will require changes in WFP’s operations and efforts to build organizational and staff capacity.

This is the first in a series of four strategic evaluations related to the transition from food aid to food assistance.  The evaluation analyzed WFP’s role in social protection and safety nets, which are increasingly seen as important mechanisms for promoting development.  The evaluation found that WFP is already contributing to social protection and safety nets, especially for some activities.  However, institutionalizing these approaches more broadly within WFP will require changes in WFP’s operations and efforts to build organizational and staff capacity.  

Overall, WFP’s Gender Policy 2003-2007 surpassed those of many comparable organizations. Going forward, the evaluation team submitted five sets of recommendations: 

1. take immediate steps to communicate WFP’s commitments to women and gender equality;

2. build gender mainstreaming capacities by extending and deepening training and expert guidance;

3. re-orient the roles and headquarters, country offices and regional bureaus;

4. make more funding available at the country level; and

5. complement the gender balance use of targets with building capacities and commitments among hiring managers and identify systems issues.