Scientific Research

Research for the Most At-Risk

Scientific research at Action Against Hunger tackles the program needs we confront in the field, targets the needs of the most at-risk, improves tools and methodologies, and ensures high-quality, sustainable programs. Whether carrying out studies in the field, investing in new capabilities, or disseminating our findings, our commitment to research adds value to our interventions. Our agency’s commitment to ongoing field research brings together several components:

An International Scientific Committee

Action Against Hunger’s International Scientific Committee embodies and guides our strategic approach to field research, helping our agency define priorities, validate programs, and connect with the latest scientific research.

Quality Programs: External Assessments

Action Against Hunger regularly undertakes external assessments of our interventions based on program impact, coverage, coherence, relevance, sustainability, effectiveness and efficiency. We have also developed quality management procedures and an internal auditing system designed to streamline capabilities and optimize the resources we deploy in the field. The result is independent verification of our internationally renown programs.

Capitalizing on Field Research

The breadth of experience and wide-ranging expertise available within ACF’s International Network offers a unique opportunity to capitalize on a broad range of research initiatives, internal and external evaluations, and package and disseminate this information with a view to making our future programs better and helping other organizations improve their own program quality and reach.

Research for the Most-at-Risk

Published December 7, 2007. Download [1.81 MB]

Scientific research at Action Against Hunger tackles the operational needs which arise in the field. It produces tools and methods to be used in highquality and sustainable actions. Research includes carryng out studies, capitalisation, dissemination and valorisation of know-how towards missions and local partners.

Real Impacts: Research for Humanitarian Outcomes

The impacts of our commitment to scientific research is of the utmost importance to the communities we serve. Here are several glimpses into our ongoing initiatives and the benefits derived from sound scientific investigation:

• Expanding the Ready-to-Eat Revolution with New Nutritional Products
  Huge strides were made some 13 years ago when Action Against Hunger piloted the first ever therapeutic milk formula used in the medical treatment of severe acute malnutrition. Prior to 1994, one in four children with severe acute malnutrition did not survive treatment. Read more
• Developing Therapeutic Nutritional Care for HIV-Affected Children
  One of the major challenges in the fight against malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa is the incidence of HIV/AIDS. The mutually reinforcing relationship between HIV and malnutrition is little understood and has complicated the treatment of severe malnutrition. Challenging more traditional approaches and protocols, this nexus has required substantial investments in field-based research to enhance our understandings of hunger and HIV. Action Against Hunger’s ongoing field research has made important contributions to conversation. Read more
• Cash-Based Interventions in Food Security
  The distribution of food is today the most widespread response to food emergencies. In certain contexts, however, the opportunity to directly inject cash may be taken, even in crisis or security-endangered situations. Action against Hunger, always striving to upgrade the quality of its operations, has become involved in projects for the purpose of scientifically studying the effect of cash-based interventions in the general framework of its fight against malnutrition. Read more
• Water and Sanitation in Post-Emergency Contexts
  Action against Hunger has carried out humanitarian programs in Sri Lanka since 1996, helping displaced communities and populations made vulnerable by the ongoing conflict. Immediately after the tsunami of December 26, 2004, Action against Hunger launched emergency operations, adding a new set of concerns to our pre-existing programs. Access to safe drinking water has been a major concern in post-tsunami Sri Lanka, given the widespread contamination of coastal water tables by a salt water from the tsunami’s tidal influx. Read more