Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Project Concern International, Courtesy of Photoshare

Fourteen million children in sub-Saharan Africa have lost one or both parents to AIDS. These orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) face an increased risk of injury and illness; inadequate food, shelter, and medical care; exploitative caregivers; mental trauma; and other challenges. MEASURE Evaluation works to improve programs for these children by providing much-needed data about programs and populations, and by sharing information with those implementing these programs. This work is in support of major efforts by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to improve OVC program effectiveness.

OVC Program Evaluations

MEASURE Evaluation conducts evaluations of OVC programs. The aim of these evaluations is to ascertain the extent to which program interventions are effective in improving the well-being of OVC.

Special Event: Lessons Learned from Evaluation of OVC Programs

OVC Program Case Studies

Case studies of OVC programs in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa were produced to fill a knowledge gap between the influx of programs and little evidence to their impact and effectiveness.

Child Status Index

The Child Status Index (CSI) toolkit assesses vulnerabilities, needs, and outcomes of OVC. CSI provides a framework for identifying these children's needs, creating service plans, and assessing outcomes.

Child Status Network

The Child Status Network (ChildStatusNet) was formed for users and potential users of the CSI toolkit to share best practices and lessons learned in its implementation among service providers to OVC. ChildStatusNet membership is open to M&E staff, program managers, and consultants.

OVC Mapping

MEASURE Evaluation has worked with key decision makers in Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia to create maps locating OVC populations as well as health facilities and services that can help them.