Evaluation of IMAM Programme, UNICEF, Afghanistan

The main objective of the evaluation was to yield results that would contribute to enhancing the programme performance and

strategies of the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) programme to deliver effective results through:

• Assessing the progress made and identifying gaps, good practices and lessons learned.

• Evaluating the programme’s relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability.

• Generating knowledge and providing recommendations that will be useful for strengthening the programme performance, advocacy and policy dialogue on acute malnutrition among children, lactating and pregnant women.

The evaluation was conducted using a mixed methods and participatory approach, generating quantitative and qualitative data and using a variety of sources to enable triangulation. Data collection methods and tools were adapted for the Afghanistan context. The evaluation period included the provision of IMAM services from 2013 to 2019 which coincided with the IMAM scale-up and the National Public Nutrition Strategy 2015-2020.

Primary data was collected between February to July 2020 by the evaluation team and by a national data collection agency. Data sources used to inform the evaluation findings included documentary evidence, key informant interviews and focus group discussions conducted at national, provincial, health facility and community levels, quantitative data and photos from health facilities and coverage surveys at community level. Data was collected in 7 provinces.