Annual Report: Projet USAID Nutrition et Hygiène (October 1, 2013 – September 30, 2014)

The project's goal is to increase the adoption of optimal behaviors to support nutrition, health, hygiene, and sanitation, as well as to increase the production and accessibility of nutrient-rich foods and improve the delivery of nutrition services to address acute malnutrition. The project's approach is grounded in community mobilization and social and behavior change, engaging community members in Community Led Total Sanitation, committees for action on nutrition, Farmer Field Schools, and Family Farmer Management Systems. USAID/PNH also supports the Malian Ministry of Health in addressing acute malnutrition through Community Management of Acute Malnutrition and encouraging interpersonal communication through client-patient exchanges. During the first year of implementation, the project established its office in Sikasso, recruited and hired 38 project staff, and procured essential materials and equipment, including vehicles. The project also conducted a baseline survey and formative research, developed a social and behavior change strategy, and trained USAID/PNH staff in key project themes, including Community-Led Total Sanitation, Infant and Young Child Feeding, Essential Nutrition Actions, and Community Management of Acute Malnutrition. The project's deputy director, Dr. Brahima Kone, was hired in the fourth quarter of the first year, and health workers and agriculture extension agents were trained as key frontline workers. Community mobilization was launched, with community representatives and committees being oriented to the project. The social and behavior change strategy development was initiated during this quarter through a workshop. The project's strategic objectives are to increase the adoption of optimal behaviors to support nutrition, health, hygiene, and sanitation, to increase the production and accessibility of nutrient-rich foods, and to improve the delivery of nutrition services to address acute malnutrition. The project's approach is grounded in community mobilization and social and behavior change, engaging community members in various activities to promote specific behaviors and support the Malian Ministry of Health in addressing acute malnutrition. The project's activities are planned and implemented in accordance with its strategic objectives, with a focus on community mobilization and social and behavior change. The project's progress is monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure that it is on track to achieve its objectives. The project's ultimate goal is to improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women and children under two years of age in the six health districts of Sikasso Region, Mali. The project's approach to increasing the adoption of optimal behaviors to support nutrition, health, hygiene, and sanitation includes the use of social and behavior change agents to survey communities, identify frontline workers and groups/committees, and orient frontline workers to the project and community mobilization. The project also trains frontline workers in community mobilization, action plan development, and surveys targeted villages to identify areas of need. The project's approach to increasing the production and accessibility of nutrient-rich foods includes the use of Farmer Field Schools and Family Farmer Management Systems to promote agricultural practices that improve nutrition. The project also supports the Malian Ministry of Health in addressing acute malnutrition through Community Management of Acute Malnutrition and encourages interpersonal communication through client-patient exchanges. The project's approach to improving the delivery of nutrition services to address acute malnutrition includes the use of Community Management of Acute Malnutrition and interpersonal communication through client-patient exchanges. The project also supports the Malian Ministry of Health in addressing acute malnutrition and promotes the use of ready-to-use therapeutic foods to treat severe acute malnutrition. Overall, the Projet USAID Nutrition et Hygiène is a comprehensive project that aims to improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women and children under two years of age in six health districts of Sikasso Region, Mali. The project's approach is grounded in community mobilization and social and behavior change, and its activities are planned and implemented in accordance with its strategic objectives.