Programme coverage is one of the most useful and reliable indicators for measuring the performance of CMAM programmes. There are many indicators (e.g. cure rates, average length of stay, average weight gain) to measure effectiveness, but only coverage provides a reliable measure of impact by measuring the proportion of needs met by an intervention. The recent development of comprehensive and innovative coverage monitoring tools (including SQUEAC and SLEAC) by Valid International/Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA) has provided the means by which to monitor programme coverage practically and easily. The real challenge is no longer what to measure or how to do so, but instead, how to make existing tools more accessible to all, maximise their utilisation at all levels of nutrition programming and effectively share results and lessons learned.
The Coverage Monitoring Network (CMN) is an inter-agency project to address these challenges and improve nutrition programmes through the promotion of quality coverage assessment tools, capacity building and information sharing. The project is funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) of USAID. The project is implemented by a consortium of agencies including Action Against Hunger | ACF International (lead agency), Concern Worldwide, Helen Keller International and International Medical Corps. In addition Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), GOAL, International Rescue Committee, Médecins Sans Frontières, Save the Children, Valid International and World Vision sit on the project’s strategic board.