MIHR ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT: PROGRAM YEAR 2

Agency for International Development (USAID) cooperative agreement designed to strengthen quality voluntary family planning and reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (FP/RMNCAH) service delivery and build health resilience in fragile settings. The project is part of USAID's MOMENTUM suite of awards, which ensures that investments in USAID partner countries along the humanitarian-development nexus are tailored to country contexts and foster sustainability. In Sudan, a fragile state facing multiple, complex crises, including ongoing conflict and political instability, MIHR works with governments, private sector actors, and global and local multisectoral partners to strengthen youth, gender, and community responsiveness, reach under-served populations, and develop appropriate and sustainable FP/RMNCAH programming. The results improve both the health and non-health-related outcomes for women, children, families, and their communities; empower women and girls; and improve interactions between populations, health, and the environment. The project reinforces evidence-based decision-making and ongoing identification of innovations to strengthen health systems in fragile settings. MIHR's work in Sudan focuses on improving access to and use of evidence-based, quality maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) information and services. This is achieved through the implementation of three objectives: improving access to and use of evidence-based, quality MNCH and WASH information and services; strengthening the capacity of host country institutions and providers at state and locality levels to deliver quality MNCH and WASH services; and adaptive learning and use of evidence in MNCH and WASH programming. In Program Year 2 (PY2), MIHR made significant progress in achieving these objectives. The project implemented a range of activities, including training of health care providers, community health workers, and other stakeholders on MNCH and WASH services. Additionally, MIHR supported the development of standard operating procedures for MNCH and WASH services, and provided technical assistance to health facilities to improve their capacity to deliver quality services. MIHR also worked closely with government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Health and the State Ministry of Health, to strengthen their capacity to deliver quality MNCH and WASH services. The project supported the development of policies and guidelines for MNCH and WASH services, and provided technical assistance to government institutions to improve their capacity to monitor and evaluate MNCH and WASH services. In terms of adaptive learning and use of evidence, MIHR conducted a range of research and evaluation activities to inform the project's programming. The project used data from these activities to identify areas for improvement and to inform the development of new interventions. Additionally, MIHR worked closely with stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to share knowledge and best practices in MNCH and WASH programming. Overall, MIHR's work in Sudan in Program Year 2 made significant progress in improving access to and use of evidence-based, quality MNCH and WASH information and services, strengthening the capacity of host country institutions and providers to deliver quality MNCH and WASH services, and adaptive learning and use of evidence in MNCH and WASH programming. The project's results have improved the health and non-health-related outcomes for women, children, families, and their communities in Sudan, and have empowered women and girls.