Supporting HIV-Affected Populations through Linkages Across Economic Strengthening, Livelihoods, and Food Security Providers

Presented by: Jacqueline Bass, Technical Director, FHI360; Gareth Evans, Senior Specialist for Livelihoods and Food Security, Save the Children; Clinton Sears,  Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Livelihoods and Food Security Technical Assistance (LIFT) Project;  Mandy Swann, International Health Specialist, Integrated Health Sciences and Economic Development and Livelihood Units, FHI 360

USAID’s globally-funded technical leadership Livelihoods and Food Security Technical Assistance Project (LIFT) seeks to generate new knowledge around the linkages between clinical health programs, specifically Nutrition Assessment Counseling and Support (NACS), and community-based economic strengthening, livelihoods, and food security (ES/L/FS) services  to improve food security and economic resilience for vulnerable households.  This panel session included a brief overview of the LIFT project’s planned activities, particularly those that relate to networks of clinical and community service providers, referrals within the networks, and the kinds of capacity building needed to ensure client referrals and organizational linkages are efficacious.  Participants worked in small groups to share best practices, practical solutions, technical gaps and knowledge needs that LIFT can incorporate as we roll out activities in five countries over the next year.