In June 2025, Hermon Research finalized the data collection for the WFP’s United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme’s Support in the Afar and Oromia regions of Ethiopia.  This study was conducted in 56 schools across the Afar and Oromia regions and included more than 1,000 child surveys, 280 parent surveys, and 640 EGRA (Early Grade Reading Assessment) tests, all administered using state-of-the-art software.

WFP’s United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme’s Support in Afar and Oromia regions of Ethiopia is a five-year initiative (September 2024 – December 2029) under the USDA McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, implemented by WFP Ethiopia. Targeting the Afar and Oromia regions, this $27.5 million project aims to enhance educational access and quality, improve health and nutrition among school-aged children, and support Ethiopia’s transition toward nationally-owned school meals programs.

The program continues the legacy of prior McGovern-Dole investments (FY13, FY18), focusing on 345 schools in Afar and 168 in Oromia, reaching over 153,000 students. The project's components include school meals, literacy support, WASH, and engagement with smallholder farmers. The initiative incorporates Early Grade Reading Assessments (EGRA) and Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) surveys to benchmark and track outcomes.

The initiative emphasizes inclusivity, gender equality, and accountability, seeking to transition supported schools to government ownership, assess institutional capacity, and develop sustainable policies. Key stakeholders include Ethiopian ministries, WFP offices, local communities, NGOs, and donors such as the USDA.