DFID’s contribution to improving nutrition

Review

DFID has a globally recognised and effective nutrition programme. It has played a key role in mobilising the global community to combat undernutrition and in setting the global agenda. We have given a rating of green-amber and made five recommendations.

Findings

DFID started scaling up its nutrition work in 2010. The pace and scale of DFID’s global work is good but implementation at the country level has been too slow. As a result, it is too early to show impact, though we saw some promising signs.

Although DFID’s work is based on sound evidence, DFID’s projects do not always focus on interventions with the greatest impact on stunting. DFID should improve the monitoring of its programmes and ensure results are not over-reported. We believe that a greater focus is needed on the most vulnerable and ‘hard-to-reach’ mothers and children.

Recommendations

1. DFID should make long-term commitments to maintain the pace and scale of its nutrition investments through its country programmes.
2. DFID should implement nutrition interventions which will have the greatest impact on stunting and cognitive development.
3. DFID should ensure that its interventions target better the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable mothers and children.
4. DFID should work with partners globally and in developing countries to ensure systems are in place to measure the impacts of its programmes.
5. DFID should actively explore ways in which to engage the private sector in reducing undernutrition.