Evaluation Brief Central America: An evaluation of WFP's Regional Portfolio (2007 - 2011)

The Office of Evaluation introduces for the first time a Regional Portfolio Evaluation (RPE). The Central America RPE (2007-2011) covers the regional operations in the following four MIC countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The evaluation found that the regional portfolio was strategically positioned to operate in Central America, and that the 2012-2013 Regional Strategic Vision reflected the operating environment and challenges. The regional operations worked in complement to Governments and to WFP activities at country level. There were however missed opportunities for better coordination with UN partners and room for improvement in communication within WFP. Measuring the overall performance of the Regional Portfolio was a challenge in the absence of consistent outcomes data. Nevertheless, despite the limitations in quantitative data, the evaluation found that WFP was viewed as a key resource to address hunger and poverty across the region. The evaluation found that the regional portfolio aligned well with national poverty reduction efforts by reinforcing civil protection as a component of hazard response (PRROs), and through the DEV’s increased investment in nutrition.