Evaluation of WFP's corporate emergency response in northeast Nigeria (2016-2018)

The evaluation covered all WFP activities in the northeast from 2016 to 2018. It assessed the appropriateness of design and delivery, operational performance and factors and quality of strategic decision-making.

The ability of WFP to rapidly scale up was impressive and is credibly associated with food security improvements. Effective scale-up was underpinned by the efficient recruiting of a large complement of national staff, effective supply chain and common services. WFP was slower to deliver a high-quality response, however.

The complexity and scale of the food security crisis in Northeast Nigeria requires multi-agency action. There are important opportunities to further develop and strengthen coordination and partnership approaches. Increasing attention on the role of  WFP in strengthening the capacity of national institutions has not yet been matched by investment in staff capacities, resources or guidance. 

Looking forward, a more robust approach is required to ensure that beneficiaries move to government support or other sustainable livelihood opportunities. Given the continuing high rates of food insecurity and the highly unpredictable security situation, life-saving assistance is a continuing priority, for which WFP needs to advocate vigorously.

The evaluation made seven recommendations for WFP:

1.     Enhance coverage of, and preparedness plans for, major emergencies in non-presence countries.
2.     Strengthen the corporate capacity to rapidly deploy experienced staff to lead and manage  in-country emergency response on a sustained basis.
3.     Strengthen support for country offices in planning, delivering and reporting on capacity strengthening for national institutions in emergencies.
4.     Maintain a core strategic focus on addressing the immediate needs of affected populations in northeast Nigeria, in line with the country strategic plan commitment to provide life-saving emergency assistance.
5.     Appropriately promote the application of humanitarian principles and equal access to food and nutrition assistance.
6.     Reinforce efforts to mainstream gender within the Nigeria programme; and build partnerships to strengthen gender transformative programming.
7.     Clarify and improve WFP’s targeting approach.