Semi Qualitative Evaluation of Access and Coverage Survey (SQUEAC) for Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM)

Objective:

Semi Qualitative Evaluation of Access and Coverage Survey (SQUEAC) for Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) 

About Project
Concern Worldwide, a renowned international humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating suffering and eradicating extreme poverty, has been active in Pakistan since 2001. Their latest initiative, “Integrated Multi-Sector Support to Nutrition at Risk Communities in Sindh, Pakistan,” aims to enhance the resilience of drought-affected populations in Sindh Province. The project focuses on addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of communities impacted by drought through a comprehensive response encompassing Nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in Umerkot and Tharparkar districts.

In the Nutrition sector, Concern Worldwide is implementing a Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) program across 12 Union Councils in the Umerkot district. As part of this effort, the project includes a Semi-Quantitative Evaluation of Access and Coverage (SQUEAC) Survey in District Umerkot.

Objectives:

  1. Evaluate Access and Coverage:
    • Assess the effectiveness and reach of the CMAM program in Umerkot, focusing on how well the program is meeting the nutritional needs of the targeted population. This evaluation will use the SQUEAC methodology to identify gaps and areas for improvement in program coverage and service delivery.
  2. Strengthen Capacity:
    • Enhance the skills and knowledge of Concern Worldwide staff in the SQUEAC methodology to ensure they are equipped to conduct comprehensive evaluations and effectively address malnutrition in the future.

This project represents a critical effort to improve food security and nutritional outcomes for vulnerable populations in Sindh, integrating key humanitarian sectors to deliver a holistic response to the crisis.

 

Services Provided:

Momentum Consulting is proud to showcase its expertise in conducting comprehensive evaluations for nutrition programs through our recent Semi-Qualitative Evaluation of Access and Coverage (SQUEAC) Survey. This project was undertaken for Concern Worldwide’s Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) program in Umerkot district, Sindh, aimed at assessing the reach and effectiveness of the program.

Key Steps in Conducting the SQUEAC Survey:

  1. Engagement and Preparation:
    • Collaboration: Momentum engaged the technical services of the Coverage Monitoring Network in the UK to ensure adherence to best practices in SQUEAC methodology.
    • Team Setup: A dedicated data collection team was recruited and trained specifically for this survey, ensuring they were equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct the assessment effectively.
  2. Data Collection:
    • Technical Aspects: Comprehensive data was gathered on the technical aspects of acute malnutrition, focusing on service delivery, coverage, and the impact of the CMAM program.
    • Monitoring and Spot Checks: Process monitoring and spot checks were conducted to gather Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) data, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the findings.
  3. Quality Assurance:
    • Daily Monitoring: Continuous oversight of the data collection team was maintained to ensure high-quality data gathering and adherence to the survey protocols.
  4. Analysis and Reporting:
    • Data Compilation: The collected data was meticulously analyzed and compiled into a detailed SQUEAC report.
    • Presentation: The final report, outlining the findings and recommendations, was presented to Concern Worldwide, providing actionable insights for enhancing the CMAM program’s effectiveness.

Momentum’s systematic approach to conducting the SQUEAC Survey for Concern Worldwide underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality evaluations that drive program improvement. Through rigorous data collection, analysis, and reporting, we provided valuable insights into the CMAM program’s reach and impact, supporting Concern Worldwide’s mission to improve malnutrition outcomes in Umerkot district.

Project Team:

Dr. Hugh Lort Phillips
Zahid
Khalid