Final Performance Evaluation of the Food for Peace PAISANO Development Food Assistance Project in Guatemala

Save the Children was awarded the PAISANO (Programa de Acciones Integradas de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional del Occidente) Development Food Assistance Project (DFAP) by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Food for Peace (FFP) in August 2012. The approximately $48 million project was implemented by Save the Children in partnership with Project Concern International (PCI). PAISANO was a six-year project conceived to build on lessons learned and strategies that had been successful in previous Save the Children and PCI projects.

PAISANO’s goal has been to reduce food and nutrition insecurity among 26,500 vulnerable rural households in 13 municipalities in 3 departments of the Guatemala Western Highlands (Save the Children in 8 municipalities in Quetzaltenango and Quiche, and PCI in 5 municipalities in Huehuetenango). The project targets rural communities suffering from food insecurity and at risk of food insecurity, and communities with a high prevalence of chronic malnutrition. To achieve its goal, the project aimed to increase household access to food, reduce malnutrition among children under 5 years of age, and improve community resilience. The project also worked to ensure gender equality, mitigate environmental consequences, and influence behavior change.

The findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the evaluation are expected to have primary utility and learning value for USAID stakeholders (FFP/Washington, USAID/Guatemala, and the FFP learning network). Additional stakeholders include the two implementing partner organizations (Save the Children and PCI), as well as Guatemalan government officials from key municipalities and departments.