Nutrition coordination and planning in Lesotho

Special evaluation, attached to a PES (PD-AAJ-522), covers the period 6/76-2/80 and is based on document review and interviews with participants and observers during site visits. Despite many problems, including GOL delays in staffing FNCO, this modest but useful project is on track. An information and study center exists, the next nutrition planning conference is imminent, training occurs in all contacts between expatriates and nationals, and meetings with other GOL agencies are frequent. Nonetheless, much work is needed to institutionalize nutrition planning in the GOL and FNCO still lacks the political influence needed to affect major nutritional issues. Project management has suffered from antagonisms between A.I.D. and the contractor, due in part to poor communications, e.g., unclear A.I.D mandates on the one hand, and late/incomplete contractor reports on the other. The recent change in project director has improved matters sufficiently to warrant an extension of the project if accompanied by close A.I.D. monitoring. Contractor relations with FNCO counterparts are forthright and dynamic and serve the project well. Training targets have not been met, since only two nationals are currently on FNCO's staff. Some formal training sessions by the contractor would help FNCO deal with other GOL agencies, and USAID/L should make special efforts to train people from outside FNCO. An added source of contention has been a nutrition survey conducted by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1976 without full GOL support or cooperation. Although the data will be a good baseline resource, they have been rejected by GOL due to misunderstandings of the survey's intent and value. Future needs are for FNCO to relate global strategies to specific interventions, e.g., targeting interventions to malnourished groups and areas and improving community nutrition planning. Continued USAID/L support beyond 1980 will be needed. At the same time, USAID/L can do as much by having FNCVO review other AID-supported activities and by channeling funds through FNCO as it can by direct support of the Office. A total of 25 recommendations are included.