World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

 The Annual Evaluation Report for 2011 focuses on lessons arising from implementation to date of WFP’s Strategic Plan 2008-2013. It covers 16 evaluations on: strategic themes in the transition from ‘food aid to food assistance’, such as partnerships and how Country Offices adapt to change; school feeding and WFP support to agricultural small holders and markets; and WFP’s strategic positioning and performance in Haiti, Kenya, Rwanda and Yemen; and others.

The Niger portfolio evaluation covers seven WFP operations and analytical work between 2007 and 2011.   The portfolio contains three distinct implementing phases, and the evaluation findings show that WFP teams in Niger successfully negotiated each of the three phases with appropriate responses strategies.

During the first phase the CO was clearly restrained in its programming choices and favoured activities that did not generate hostility from the Government of Niger in place until the coup d’état in 2010. The CO responded rapidly and effectively to the 2010 food crises during the second phase.  In 2011 WFP Niger could start implementing several changes as this third phase was the first unconstrained year without a major food crisis  and with a constructive relationship with the Government of Niger. 
 

 This evaluation of WFP’s partnerships is one of four strategic evaluations undertaken in the 2010–2011 biennium that relate to the shift from food aid to food assistance as called for in WFP’s 2008–2013 Strategic Plan.

 This evaluation of WFP’s partnerships is one of four strategic evaluations undertaken in the 2010–2011 biennium that relate to the shift from food aid to food assistance as called for in WFP’s 2008–2013 Strategic Plan.

This evaluation of WFP’s partnerships is one of four strategic evaluations undertaken in the 2010–2011 biennium that relate to the shift from food aid to food assistance as called for in WFP’s 2008–2013 Strategic Plan.

The evaluation analysed how WFP’s partnerships and its role within them are affected by this strategic shift. Recognizing that the shift is an ongoing process and that the evaluation took place at the mid-point of the strategic planning cycle, the evaluation aimed to support organizational learning.   Partnership is a key element in WFP's Strategic Plan and is essential for effective international humanitarian and development assistance.  

The evaluation found that WFP is seen as a valued and respected partner and that working in partnership contributes to increased impact.  However the evaluation found areas of weakness that need to be addressed in order for WFP to be an even more effective partner, for example to develop a comprehensive partnership strategy, clarify its roles in relations to the shift to a food-assistance model and refine its internal systems and capacities.

WFP responded well to the 2010 crisis in Niger, making the right strategic choices about its response, managing appropriately the deployment and engagement of headwarters, regional bureau and country office staff, and working at a high level of technical implementation. Management, logistics and procurement made significant achievements.

However, targeting remained weak, associated with significant gaps in monitoring and capturing data. As a result, the outcomes of the EMOP are difficult to measure.  

The project aims at improving the coverage of prenatal and infant care consultations by increasing the number of regular visits by at-risk expectant and nursing mothers. At this stage, it cannot be considered a success. Health centres have effectively registered a significant increase in visits, but on a very irregular basis.