Strong evidence shows that preventive small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS-SQ) improve survival, growth, and development of children 6–23 months of age. Studies show that medium-quantity LNS (LNS-MQ) is as effective as LNS-SQ for children. A small but growing number of studies show that LNS-SQ supplementation of women during pregnancy has a slightly more positive effect on birth outcomes than iron and folic acid. 

Despite the evidence for effectiveness, few organizations implement lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS-SQ) programs. As such, the nutrition community knows very little about the challenges and opportunities of expanding the use of this product and the best approaches to do so. LNS-SQ implementing partner programs, funded by USAID’s International Food Relief Partnership, presented a unique opportunity to learn from diverse experiences. 

In 2020, USAID Advancing Nutrition conducted a remote mapping exercise of 18 IFRP-funded LNS-SQ and LNS-MQ partners to compare program details and identify gaps and opportunities for capacity strengthening. In 2021 and 2022, we built on this work by conducting a learning activity with three implementing partners programming LNS-SQ for children in Honduras, Niger, and Somalia, and pregnant and lactating women in Honduras and Somalia. In 2023, we developed a brief on how to develop SQ-LNS communication materials, which includes sample job aids, counseling cards and more. Explore each of these efforts to learn more.