A chance to grow. How social protection can tackle child malnutrition and promote economic opportunities ?

This report highlights the potential of social transfers to improve nutrition. It sets out how programmes to distribute cash, food or assets - sometimes in exchange for participation in employment or other activities - have a key role to play in protecting the poorest families particularly during economic shocks. They can also help families vulnerable to malnutrition to access a nutritious and diverse diet for their children, and increase their ability to cope with crises. The report provides conclusions and key recommendations for national governments, donor countries, multilateral institutions and the G20 on investing in social transfers and measuring needs for capacity development to successfully establish programmes to tackle malnutrition. It includes five evidence-based guidelines on the design of social transfers for national governments to improve food security and nutrition outcomes. The report highlights the need for developing country governments to expand social transfer programmes so that they effectively reach those most vulnerable to malnutrition such as young children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

 Save the Children - June 2012