Social protection programmes command large resource flows compared with nutrition interventions, but their success in fighting poverty does not necessarily translate into success in reducing malnutrition. It is now well understood that the design of these programmes can be enhanced to maximise and sustain important food security and nutrition results. 

Drawing on the wealth of evidence gathered for the 2019 Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition (SOFI report) this webinar discussed some of the evidence available in the region and the possible reasons behind the lack of clear impact of these social protection programmes on nutrition outcomes. 

Panellists: 

• Ruben Villanueva, Social Protection Consultant, UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO) 
• Jessica Blankenship, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF EAPRO 
• Jessica Owens, Social Protection Consultant, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP) 
• Nard Huijbregts, Lead Social Policy Advisor, EPRI 

Discussants:  

• Mario Gyori, Researcher, IPC–IG 
• Britta Schumacher, Senior Nutritionist, WFP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific  

Moderator: Andrea Rossi, Regional Adviser Social Policy and Economic Analysis, UNICEF EAPRO