Riaz Lodhi: the power of impact evaluation in Latin America & the Caribbean
WFP El Salvador’s Country Director reflects on the role of impact evaluation in driving the Changing Lives agenda
In December 2024, WFP El Salvador’s Country Director shared his insights on impact evaluation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the road to 2030, during the UNICEF and WFP Global Impact Evaluation Forum at the United Nations. As the first country to complete an impact evaluation within the WFP Office of Evaluation’s three impact evaluation windows, he takes stock of the lessons learned in this interview with and from the WFP impact evaluation team.
How is WFP El Salvador using impact evaluations to guide its initiatives?
Impact evaluations are at the heart of our strategy refinement processes and enable us to assess the effectiveness of our interventions and make data-driven decisions. For example, in 2022, we conducted an impact evaluation, with WFP’s Office of Evaluation and World Bank DIME, focusing on our Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) and Cash Transfers (UCT) programmes. This evaluation highlighted how these interventions influenced gender equality, household food security, and economic empowerment, particularly among women.
We found that women participating in FFA activities experienced significant gains in economic empowerment, food security, and agency in household decision-making. Men’s perceptions of gender norms shifted positively, fostering a more supportive environment for women’s participation in the longer run.
Can you share how these findings have improved WFP’s programmes in El Salvador?
Leveraging these impact evaluation findings, we’ve improved programme outcomes and built a foundation for long-term community resilience and gender equality.
- Behavioural change workshops: We now conduct workshops with men to encourage gender-equitable practices, share household responsibilities and reduce gender-based violence.
- Financial inclusion: We diversified financial service providers to bring cash transfer points closer to participants and introduced electronic accounts.
- Safe programming measures: Recognizing women’s time constraints and safety concerns, we’ve adjusted training schedules and introduced childcare to ensure full participation.
- Capacity building with technology: Women are trained to use drones for climate data collection and early warning dissemination.
- Increasing women’s participation: Resilience activities now see 80% participation from women.
How has WFP leveraged collaboration to strengthen impact evaluations?
By working with partners such as the World Bank, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and local institutions, we’ve enhanced the scope and quality of our evaluations, hence the quality of our programmes. For instance, the partnership with WFP’s Office of Evaluation and the World Bank, during our cash-based transfer programme evaluation, brought in technical expertise and financial support, ensuring rigorous design and execution.
We also engage local universities and research institutes to capitalize on their contextual knowledge and technical capacity, and community leaders and cooperating partners play a critical role in improving targeting, communication, and operational efficiency. Sharing evaluation findings with partners amplifies the impact.
What lessons have emerged from your experience with impact evaluations, and what areas need improvement?
One of the most valuable lessons from the impact evaluation with OEV is the importance of fostering inclusive dialogues. Engaging women and men in discussions about evaluation results has advanced mutual understanding and strengthened household co-responsibility.
We aim to hold more consultations with women to address their needs better and deepen our understanding of gender norms. In 2025, we plan to expand these consultative processes further to create more opportunities for community-driven solutions and gender equity.
How do impact evaluations align with WFP’s broader goals in El Salvador?
Impact evaluations are integral to our Changing Lives agenda and provide evidence to refine multi-year projects and support initiatives that reach diverse beneficiaries. For example, our evaluations have informed efforts to assist smallholder farmers, train youth in gastronomy, and support innovative entrepreneurs. These initiatives are helping us transform food systems, reduce food insecurity, and promote community resilience. Impact evaluations ensure we’re meeting immediate needs and driving sustainable development.
Any closing thoughts?
Impact evaluations are a bridge to transformative change. They allow us to respond effectively to evolving needs, strengthen collaborations, and ensure that every intervention maximizes its impact. By embedding evidence-based approaches in our work, we’re not just changing lives but empowering communities to thrive.
In El Salvador, we’ve seen firsthand how data-driven insights can catalyze progress. Impact evaluations will remain a cornerstone of our mission to achieve a world with zero hunger.
Impact evaluations are not the final goal; they are a tool to achieve our ultimate objective: enhancing our programmes and improving the lives of the people we serve.
