P.L. 480 Title II activities in Paraguay : a program evaluation

THE PL 480 PROGRAM IS DIRECTED PRIMARILY AT THE POPULATION GROUPS WHICH HAVE THE GREATEST NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES. IT REACHES THE HIGHEST PRIORITY GROUPS OF RECIPIENTS BY WORKING THROUGH SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CENTERS. ONLY 25 PERCENT OF ALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND 37 PERCENT OF ALL PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTIONS OFFICIALLY PARTICIPATE IN THE TITLE II PROGRAM, AND A SPOT CHECK REVEALED THAT A SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE OF THESE DID NOT ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE. THUS, THE PROGRAM FALLS SHORT OF ITS POTENTIAL TARGETS. CERTAIN PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS SERVE TO BIAS THE PROGRAM AGAINST THE MOST ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND MOST REMOTE POPULATION GROUPS -- THOSE WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEED FOR THE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM IS ADEQUATELY TIED TO NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH CENTERS AN D NUTRITION WILL PLAY AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE SCHOOLS AS NEW CURRICULUM PROGRAMS ARE IMPLEMENTED. THE GOVERNMENT OF PARAGUAY (GOP) IS AWARE OF THE NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS OF THE COUNTRY AND HAS A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD THEIR SOLUTION, ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A SENSE OF COMMITMENT TOWARD NUTRITIONAL MATTERS. EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE BY AID TO INVOLVE THE GOP MORE FULLY IN THE PROGRAM, PARTICULARLY AT THE OPEATION PLANNING STAGE.