Somalia Food Security and Nutrition Integration:

Experiences and Lessons Learned

Leo Anesu Matunga Somalia Nutrition Cluster Coordinator

Global Nutrition Cluster Annual MeetingGeneva, 9 – 11 July 2013

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Somalia Contextual Analysis• Many countries in one• Complex chronic emergency-high GAM and SAM prevalence and

complex aggravating factors• High morbidity and mortality prevalence• Unpredictable and risky environment• Insecure and mostly inaccessible• 1.1million IDPs-Nearly 90% in the south.• Low formal education, high illiteracy rates• Weak/Poor capacity (individual & institutional)• Inadequate/Few financial and material resources• Lack of committed and enterprising human resources• Many LNGOs• Dependence on remote controlled management

Seasonal Nutrition Trends 2006-2012

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Morbidity and Mortality Trends 2009-2012

04/22/2023

2009 2010 2011 20120.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.035.040.045.0

Morbidity trends 2009-12

All causes morbidity Average of Diarrhoea Average of Pneumonia Average of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Average of Measles

Perio

d pr

eval

ence

(%)

42007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

0.000.501.001.502.002.503.003.50

Mean Death Rate 2007-12

Average of CMR 10000/day Average of U5MR /10000/day

Deat

h Ra

te (/

10,0

00/d

ay)

Median GAM prevalence• Gu 2007 – Deyr 2011/12• Median prevalence at livelihood

level• Re-classification according to

nutrition analysis framework phases

Median of GAM rate 2007-2012

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Somalia Contextual Analysis cont’d

• The south is the breadbasket of the country and also has the worst median GAM, SAM, Morbidity and Mortality indicators.

• The southern zone’s riverine areas affected by food insecurity mostly due to combination of shocks and socio economic conditions ( floods, marginalized Bantus minority).

• The central has the worst food security indicators.• The northern zones are better in terms of food

security, nutrition and health indicators.

Food Security and Nutrition Linkages (1)Assessment • Joint Food Security and Nutrition Assessments being conducted by

FSNAU. Analysis• Food Security and Nutrition Situation, Outlook and Forecast IPC Maps.

Action• Nutrition cluster objectives 1&2 in the response plan is to ensure

linkages.• Partner proposals not approved if they do not show sustainable

linkages. • Integrated projects score higher marks during proposal review for CHF.• Nutrition is the core in targeting FS projects.

Food Security and Nutrition Linkages (2)• During the famine 2011, Nutrition and Food security

clusters came up with a linkages strategy For CHF funding. NUTRITION was the recommended entry point. Strategy used in Food lean seasons.

• 25,800HH with malnourished children in South Central Somalia were targeted with Food Security interventions such as:

Cash for work opportunities to increase access to food;Cash vouchers-Approximately $100 per householdProtection of critical livelihood assets, such as animal vaccination and

treatment, increasing access to water and fodder for animalsProvision of farm inputs to enable households to benefit from the

possibility of upcoming rains. Blanket Supplementary Feeding.

Food Security and Nutrition Linkages (3)• NC shared all the nutrition partners and sites in the south

with FSC.• 30% of households with malnourished children targeted

with FSC intervention.• Activities mapping at all sites was done. • FSC partners informed about the strategy and teamed up

with NC partners.• Training of partners on key activities and need for

linkages was conducted by both FS and Nutrition clusters.• Exchange of site beneficiary lists of among partners.

Nutrition status was part of the targeting criteria.

WFP Conceptual Framework of Food and Nutrition Security

Outcome (1)• Anecdotally Linkage strategy led to improved

Sustainable Food Security at targeted household level.

• FSC cluster reached 28% of the targeted 30% of households of malnourished children with at least 1 FSC interventions.

• Region improved from devastating famine effects indicating the strategy’s positive contribution.

• Reduced GAM, Morbidity and Mortality prevalence.• Strategy led to improved coordination among FS and

nutrition partners at field level.

Outcome (2)• Enhanced targeting and reached

children/households most in need. • Improved understanding of FS and nutrition

linkages among partners.• It was not possible to measure impact since

no joint evaluation of projects was conducted.

Lessons Learned (1)A. Capacity Development• Capacity development of partners on integration strategy is

essential.• Always consider critical components of capacity Development:

Individual competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes, mindsets and motivations)

Collective capabilities (collective skill/aptitude of a group to carry out a particular function or process)

System-wide capacity (government, community etc)

• Adapt CD approaches to fit local contexts and realities- eg less text and more visuals learning materials in these low literacy environments.

• Build on local strengths, don’t underestimate them.• Provide long term support beyond individual training.

Lessons Learned (2): A shift from..

1• Individual training

2• Institutional Development

3• Creating Enabling environments

Lessons Learned (3)• Training and workshops are one stage in a

systematic cycle: Action, Reflection, Learning, Planning.

• Implications for Post-training Follow-up, Support, Mentoring and Learning

• Implications for Management, Leadership and coordination.

• High staff turn over

Lessons Learned (4)B. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning• Impact evaluation is key. It was not done as no funds were

available whilst inaccessibility were also exacerbating factors.

• Protection concerns were raised as some families starved children in order to benefit.

• Support Supervision and not policing is essential.C. Coordination & response planning• Strategy enabled FS and Nutrition to work together closely.• Led to development on other strategies involving other

clusters as well. E.g, Health, Shelter and Nutrition in CHF 1 of 2012

Lessons Learned (5)D. Human resources• low technical skills, • low motivation, • No clear Job Descriptions, • high staff turnover.E. Support systems• Weak referral systems from community to

facilities and vice versa. No government CHWs, • Weak inter-clusters linkages understanding

among partners

Lessons Learned (6)F. Materials• No translated materials for use by low literacy

community workers. • No adult learning materials.G. Management• Remote management for all partners LNGOs

and INGOs • No clear lines of responsibilities • No Project Cycle Management skills.

Way forward for SomaliaCapacity Development approaches• Call centre• Adult learning training methodologies- UNICEF LTD unit.• CD on thematic areas-UNICEF & WFP and partners• On job mentoring• Building capacity of a LNGO in NC to train partners of key areas of PCM,

Sphere standards, SMART, integration etc.• Cluster focus on NiE, Cluster approach awareness• Nutrition institute.FS and Nutrition integration• Maintained and being enhanced • Integration with other clusters being promoted.• Focus on community, household resilience. The resilience strategy by

FAO, WFP and UNICEF enhancing joint programming and FSC and Nutrition at the core but other areas as well.

Way forward for SomaliaMonitoring , Evaluation and Learning• Third part monitoring and verification• Calling beneficiaries• Use of mobile technology • LNGO supported to conduct Research on NCA, Nutrition in

the elderly. Coordination & response Planning• Strengthening of field mechanisms• Intercluster meetings at field level• Contingency planning with partners• Strategic Basic Social Services mapping-Nut Done

Support needed from GNC• Guidance on nutrition and FS inter-cluster

linkages.• Sharing of lessons on FS/Nut integration

evidence-based success stories at global level.

• Guidance and lessons on practical capacity Development approaches in complex emergencies.

• Guidance on DRR, resilience for nutrition.

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Questions

???

• What integration, for who? How? Impact measurement?

• Developing whose capacity?, For what?, For whom?

• What are immediate, medium and long term needs?

• How to operationalize in emergencies??