FINDING THE WAY : A SECOND REVIEW OF NUTRITION PLANNING IN CHILE

Evaluation, which covers the period from 7/77 to 6/78, is based on a field visit, and focuses on COMPAN"s performance and future stance. CONPAN successfully executed contractor pilot projects such as family gardens and casetas sanitarias, and studies, such as monitoring nutrition status, estimating food production, and identifying foci of malnutrition. CONPAN"s continued assistance improved and national school feeding and breastfeeding programs, and CONPAN collaborated with the school feeding agency and the Ministry of Health on prospective regular nutrition planning and implementation assistance. CONPAN"s relation with USAID improved greatly and its administrative structure improved after a 7/77 reorganization, as shown by its development of a procedures manual, information system plans, and a functioning library. On the other hand, combined political, economic, and staff personality problems limited CONPAN"s performance and power. In addition, CONPAN"s self-induced isolation and independence hindered intra- and inter-agency communication and cooperation. This communication barrier and a concurrent budget squeeze alienated outside agencies and contractors, and fostered widespread insecurity among its staff who grew pessimistic, keenly aware of salary disparities, and showed less zeal and work competence. CONPAN formed an analysis and planning group during its 7/77 reorganization period. Rather than properly integrating it in the organization by linking the planning and interventions areas for more effective nutrition planning, it polarized the two, causing unresolved strategy and tactics issues. To remedy these problems, CONPAN needs to build information and nutritional review systems; improve intra- and inter-agency coordination; establish an orientation and training program; expand evaluation activities; establish an internal decisionmaking process; and correct salary discrepancies to boost morale.