Analysis of Experience in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa

Within the framework of the capacity-building project for better integration of nutrition and food security programming1, FAO has asked humanitarian organizations in Western Africa and the Sahel (Chad, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali) and in the Horn of Africa (Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia) to share their experiences and lessons learnt on implementing integrated programmes, and more particularly between nutrition and food security sectors. Data were collected from February to July 2014, using a good practices template (Annex 1) that was distributed to the various institutions. 37 replies were received and analysed, with a majority of the programmes (25) coming from the Sahel and West Africa region, nine from the Horn of Africa and three from other African countries (Rwanda, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo); and with more than 80% implemented in rural areas2 (Annexes 2 and 3). Project duration ranged from 4 to 120 months, with an average duration of about two years. This relatively short period of time may be explained because the projects’ main focus was on experience in humanitarian projects and resilience-building programmes. An analysis of lessons learnt and good practices was conducted based solely on the data collected. This document provides the results of this analysis, highlighting the enabling and hindering factors as identified by professionals to maximize project results and impact on nutrition in the food security projects reviewed. In particular, it focuses on agricultural and vegetable gardening activities, cash transfer programmes, and on cross-cutting issues including accountability and gender.