Review of "imunizasaun proteje labarik" project in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste : program review report, 17 September-21 October 2013

The main project goal is to reach the MCC "Immunization Coverage" target indicator, which is defined as the average of DPT3 and measles coverage rates in a number of countries receiving MCC support. At project start-up, the MCC target indicator to be reached over the project lifetime was an average DPT3 /measles coverage rate of 81.5%. The evaluation team undertook a qualitative assessment as directed by the statement of work (SOW) for the assignment, and designed a data collection and analysis approach to answer the following four evaluation questions: (1) to what extent has the project achieved its objective of improving the enabling environment for FP/RH in the three target states; (2) which advocacy activities were successful and had a positive impact and which ones had no or limited impact, and why; (3) what roles did traditional, religious and political leaders play in improving the enabling environment for FP/RH in the target states, and how has the development Research Projects Center (dRPC) contributed to this [and] how were these roles different for traditional/religious and political leaders in terms of effectiveness; and (4) what effect did the project"s activities have on women and men from the community differently? Based on available data, it appears that IPL has achieved its main purpose of assisting the MOH to reverse a decline in national immunization coverage rates. The project has initiated a wide range of initiatives aimed at supporting and strengthening immunization services, and although a direct link between these activities and increased coverage cannot be proved, it seems likely that together, these have resulted in the rise in coverage rates observed. (Excerpt, modified)