Honduras

Requester

Save the Children.

Background  

Honduras faced many challenges and threats for decades.  Food insecurity due to climate change such as hurricanes increased the vulnerability of households. COVID-19 further worsened the food crisis. Poverty and food insecurity combined with an unhealthy environment and inadequate practices generate global malnutrition / acute and socio-economic inequality/gender inequality.  COVID-19 further exacerbates the burden due to the loss of jobs such that 70% of the population was in poverty according to the National Autonomous University of Honduras. Food insecurity and COVID-19 deepened gender inequality, among the most vulnerable women to poverty, unemployment, internal displacement, and migration. In addition, loss of income and livelihoods affected women's economic capacity, coupled with increased unpaid care work, food insecurity, and loss of income. 

The request   

The GNC Technical Alliance was requested to provide CMAM support, particularly strengthening the delivery of CMAM through senior leadership, technical support, and training of staff.

Key achievements  

• Developed step by step training manual for training Community Health Worker Volunteers 

• Developed operational guidelines for implementation of the nutrition component of CMAM 

• Conducted training to Save the Children staff, community volunteers, and Child Fund Staff 

• Developed project management and monitoring tools 

• Developed operational guidelines for community development 

• Developed communication materials 

• Developed a step-by-step manual for training family’s family MUAC.

Guideline for implementation of the nutrition component of CMAM 

Step by Step Manual for Training Community Health Workers 

Step-by-step manual for training families family MUAC 

Requester

Save the Children.

Background  

In 2021, 2.9 million people faced acute food insecurity between December 2020 and March 2021 and it was expected to increase to 3.1 million between April and June 2021. Due to decreased access to food, loss of productive assets/crops, and depletion of food reserves, many people were forced to adopt negative coping strategies. The Humanitarian Needs Assessment (HNO 2021) highlighted that the country was currently in phase 3 or 4 "serious and critical" in terms of micronutrient deficiencies, especially for children below 5 years, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.  It was assessed that 38,000 children below 5 years could suffer from acute malnutrition over the course of the next 12 months. In addition, the feeding practices of young children were below the optimal level, which affected the nutritional status of children.

The request  

The GNC Technical Alliance was requested to provide Technical Support to the Save the Children team in Honduras on IYCF-E and MAMI for the implementation of an emergency response project supporting:  the implementation of activities in IYCF-E and MAMI, the provision of high-level leadership, technical support, and capacity building in the field and training staff. 

Key achievements  

• Conducted IYCF-E situation analysis  

• Established IYCF-E Technical Working Groups 

• Developed guidelines, protocols, training materials, and tools for the IYCF-E and MAMI for the emergency response program 

• Conducted mapping of partner interventions, responsiveness and local IYCF-E strategy developed. 

• Conducted capacity building assessment of partners. 

Requester:

UNICEF

Background 

Honduras was strongly affected by different emergencies (migratory flows, prolonged droughts, COVID-19, etc.) in which the response of the nutrition sector was limited. According to the National Health Survey 2019, more than 1.9% of children under 5 years of age were acute malnourished. In addition, exclusive breastfeeding at the national level was 30% and the majority of women suffered from obesity and overweight which was at 60%. The burden of malnutrition at the national level required timely nutrition responses, so it was considered an opportune moment to strengthen the capacities of Technical Nutrition Group partners. In addition, the policy environment was appropriate to establish the terms of reference and work plan of the Technical Nutrition Group, which could be the starting point for the formulation of public policy on nutrition.

The request   

The ALNP-E advisor was requested to work with key nutrition partners (and other sectors) to develop a comprehensive P-E ALN action plan for Honduras. The action plan would provide important technical stimulus to the R-S, guide implementation, and support advocacy and fundraising. 

Key achievements  

• Conducted situation analysis of ALNP-E in Honduras 

• Developed Terms of Reference for the Technical Nutrition Group 

• Conducted capacity assessment of ALNP-E partners in Honduras 

• Developed ALNP- E action plan 

• Conducted training with local organisation on ALNP-E and breastmilk substitutes. 

Honduras Capacity Building Report -Nutrition Working Group