Lesotho nutrition planning

PES covers the period 9/77-6/79 and is based on an attached special evaluation (XD-AAJ-522-A) and on developments subsequent to it. Due to delayed personnel assignments and difficulties in establishing a Food and Nutrition Coordinating Office (FNCO) as a legal unit of the GOL, the project was 10 months behind schedule by the end of the first year of in-country work. Eventually, FNCO was established as a Cabinet Office (thus carrying the implied support of the Prime Minister) and by 4/78 was staffed with a Director, Deputy Director, and Executive Officer. Two other staff members have been added since then. Office space currently available or under construction remains inadequate for eventual program needs, however; additional offices and a conference room/library are needed. The Second Lesotho National Food and Nutrition Planning Conference was held in three phases and established national goals and strategies in food and nutrition and developed a coordinated set of 19 projects with measurable objectives and specified workplans. FNCO has conducted 72 coordination meetings for these projects with representatives from 51 organizations and is on target in achieving its 1978 goals of finalizing structural matters relating to the Lesotho Food and Nutrition Council and developing a training program for personnel in policy development and program planning and management. The GOL has substantially supported the project and has indicated that further training in overseas nutrition programs will be made available this year. However, the attention and support required for donor projects is seriously constraining the GOL"s ability to support its own projects. Although it is expected that project objectives for the next 2 years will be achieved on schedule, it is difficult to predict the extent to which start-up delays will retard full institutionalization of the planning process within FNCO. The GOL has informally supported a 2-year extension of the project, but development of a proposal to this effect cannot be completed without further GOL input.