Kenya Nutrition and Health Program Plus: YEAR 3 QUARTER 1 PROGRESS REPORT

The program, which began in January 2015, is in its second year of implementation and focuses on increasing access and demand for nutrition services, strengthening nutrition commodity management, and improving food and nutrition security. The program addresses undernutrition through an integrated approach that targets both underlying and systemic causes, as well as immediate determinants of malnutrition. Implementation progress and key achievements during the third quarter of 2016 (October 1 to December 31) are reported. The program has made significant strides in improving access and demand for quality nutrition interventions at community and facility levels. Leadership, advocacy, and policy planning have been strengthened, with improved nutrition service delivery management, coordination, and implementation. Community health extension workers and volunteers have been trained to promote improved nutrition-related behaviors, and opportunities for learning and sharing best practices in nutrition have been increased. Strengthened nutrition commodity management has also been achieved, with improved production, supply, and distribution of nutrition commodities. Quality and safety of food commodities and agricultural products have been enhanced, and sustainability and innovation in nutrition commodity development and management have been strengthened. Improved food and nutrition security has been achieved through increased market access and consumption of diverse and quality foods, as well as increased resilience of vulnerable households and communities. Monitoring and evaluation efforts have been ongoing, with facility reporting, electronic nutrition reporting, nutrition portal, and site support supervision being implemented. Quantitative impact of program activities has been assessed, and program performance summary has been provided. Progress on links to other USAID programs and government agencies has also been reported. The program has made significant progress in addressing undernutrition in Kenya, with a focus on multi-sectoral capacity strengthening and technical assistance. The program's approach has been effective in improving access and demand for nutrition services, strengthening nutrition commodity management, and improving food and nutrition security. Continued implementation of the program's activities is expected to yield further improvements in nutrition status of Kenyans. Key interventions implemented during the third quarter of 2016 included training of community health extension workers and volunteers, establishment of demonstration plots for improved nutrition practices, and provision of technical assistance to government agencies and implementing partners. These interventions have contributed to improved nutrition-related behaviors, increased market access, and enhanced food and nutrition security. The program's performance data tables, which provide detailed information on program implementation and impact, are presented in Annex 1. The data indicate significant progress in program implementation, with increased coverage of nutrition services, improved nutrition commodity management, and enhanced food and nutrition security. Overall, the Kenya Nutrition and Health Program plus has made significant progress in addressing undernutrition in Kenya, with a focus on multi-sectoral capacity strengthening and technical assistance. Continued implementation of the program's activities is expected to yield further improvements in nutrition status of Kenyans.