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Strategic Research Areas
Building Resilience
Developing strategies for reducing vulnerability to both natural and human-made shocks and for strengthening existing social systems is essential for achieving long-term food security and well-being.
In Bangladesh, the Transfer Modality Research Initiative compared the effectiveness of various combinations of cash and food transfers with complementary nutrition behavior change communication (BCC). Cash transfers plus BCC improved child nutritional status significantly: stunting fell by 7.3 percentage points in just two years. Drawing on this work, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has added nutrition BCC to a program for destitute women with more than a million beneficiaries.
IFPRI completed an influential study on linkages between agriculture, climate change, and food security with the government of the Philippines. In addition to a forthcoming book, The Future of Philippine Agriculture, several policy notes were published that were used in national discussions and informed trade policies.
From the blog
Providing Aid to Refugee Camps Can
Benefit the Host Country’s Economy
Humanitarian food transfers in Zomba District, Malawi, were evaluated to see how effectively they address acute food insecurity and support households recovering from the annual lean season. Analysis by the Malawi Strategy Support Program found that the transfers protect food security and diets, but that targeting errors are rife—the wealthiest are as likely to receive transfers as the poorest. Implementers and donors are exploring ways to better target the transfers.
UNICEF used IFPRI’s analysis to inform the design of behavior change communication (BCC) sessions for its Integrated Nutrition and Social Cash Transfer Pilot in Africa. BCC will emphasize the need to treat drinking water, use soap when handwashing, and remove animal waste from household environments.
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