Mid-term evaluation of the Wadata resilience food security activity in Niger

In 2018, the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance1 1 Formerly the Office of Food For Peace (FFP) (BHA)) issued an award to Save the Children (Save) to implement a Resilience and Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Niger.

The project, named Wadata, is implemented by a consortium of partners, including the National Cooperative Business Association/CLUSA International, the Kaizen Company, and Développement pour un Mieux-Être. The original award of USD 41 million was for a 5-year project, starting in October 2019 and ending in late 2023. However, in 2023, BHA granted a two-year costed extension to Wadata, bringing the total budget to approximately USD 50 million and the end date to September 2025. The overarching goal of this project is to sustainably improve food and nutrition security and resilience among extremely poor and chronically vulnerable households and communities in four communes in Zinder (Guidiguir, Damagaram Takaya, Guidimouni, and Mazamni).

Wadata aims to reach over 27,836 households (roughly 195,000 people) living in 683 communities (villages and hamlets). Most of the activities involve direct participation with community groups, leaders, and members, as well as with specific professionals across the governmental, financial, and health spheres of Zinder. Progress towards Wadata’s Goals and Purposes is supported by a comprehensive social behavior change (SBC) strategy.