USAID SUN TA Quarterly Progress Report July 1 - September 30, 2021

Agency for International Development (USAID) to reduce stunting in Zambia through implementation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program. The project is implemented in 13 selected districts of Central Province, Copperbelt Province, Luapula Province, and Northern Province. The project targets women of reproductive age 15 - 49 with at least one child under 2 years of age, and/or pregnant women, as well as the SUN Program's most vulnerable households. The project has two main objectives: to ensure adequate quantity and quality of dietary intake among target groups, and to ensure adequate health conditions for biological utilization of nutrients. To achieve these objectives, the project provides technical assistance and direct implementation support to sub-national local government departments and staff in the selected districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities aimed at significantly reducing the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two. During the third quarter of 2021, the project made strong progress under each component and in all 13 target districts. In the Agriculture and Livelihoods pillar, the project continued to increase access to diverse nutritious vegetables, biofortified crops, and access to markets by supporting various improved agriculture technologies. There are now 22,912 farmers practicing improved technologies. The project also held sensitization meetings with seed companies to share the advantages of utilizing improved management practices such as usage of certified seed and timely positioning for early planting. During Q3 2021, the project supported 774 hectares of land under improved management practices for a cumulative of 2,487 hectares year-to-date (YTD). In addition, access to finance grew this quarter through Community Savings and Loan Groups (CSLGs). With a cumulative savings of over ZMW13 million, mothers and households have gained production knowledge, skills, and purchasing power for a range of nutritious food items. The project also supported the establishment of 15 Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs) who are providing training and support to farmers on improved agriculture practices. The project's Nutrition and Health pillar made significant progress in promoting infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and improving access to and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food. The project supported the establishment of 20 SUN Mothers Support Groups (SMSGs) which are providing training and support to mothers on IYCF practices. The project also distributed 10,000 packets of fortified food to vulnerable households. The project's Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) pillar made significant progress in improving access to and availability of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services. The project supported the construction of 10 boreholes and the rehabilitation of 5 existing boreholes. The project also distributed 5,000 water treatment tablets to vulnerable households. Overall, the project made significant progress in the third quarter of 2021, with strong results in all three pillars. The project continues to work towards its goal of reducing stunting in Zambia through the implementation of the GRZ 1,000 Most Critical Days Program.