Myriam Ait Aissa
Head of Research & Analysis & Leaqrning Department
Research, Analysis and Learning
Innovate, Learn, Act: Knowledge driving the fight against hunger. At Action contre la Faim, we generate and apply field-based knowledge to improve the understanding, prevention, and treatment of hunger and malnutrition.
Why Research & Learning at ACF?
Our history
The need to identify the most effective interventions in the management of undernutrition very quickly led ACF to promote the production of scientific evidence: knowledge in this field was very limited at international level. It was then supported by a number of decision-makers working in humanitarian contexts. This prompted the humanitarian operational and academic communities to position themselves to co-construct operational research programmes aimed at meeting the challenges of malnutrition. Action contre la Faim was one of the pioneers in this field.
Since 2007, Action contre la Faim – France has placed particular emphasis on research by creating its own Research, Analysis and Learning department, the driving force behind innovation in the field of nutrition.
Understand to improve action
At Action contre la Faim – France, research is a key driver of quality and impact. It strengthens both humanitarian and development responses across our areas of intervention—on the ground and in collaboration with our partners. Rooted in real-world data, our research helps us understand what truly works.
Our research priorities:
- Generate robust evidence to better identify needs and inform interventions.
- Innovate on underexplored or urgent issues by testing new approaches.
- Collaborate with local communities and researchers to address context-specific challenges.
- Learn from our practices and from the communities we work with to enhance our impact.
- Share and apply findings to drive changes in practices and policies.
- Scale up effective approaches to broaden their reach and influence.
Through this approach, ACF continuously improves the relevance and effectiveness of its programmes. More broadly, it contributes to strengthening collective action against undernutrition and shaping national and international nutrition policies—reinforcing ACF’s leadership in the fight against undernutrition.
Learn for greater impact
Because research is a catalyst for change, Action contre la Faim places learning and knowledge sharing at the heart of its work. Insights from research, field experience, and local knowledge are systematically captured, shared, and applied. This ongoing learning process strengthens our impact, guides programme decisions, inspires partners, and informs policy—ensuring we better serve the communities we work with. es programmes d’ACF pour guider ses décisions, inspirer d’autres acteurs et influencer les politiques.
Our strategic areas
A virtuous circle: understand, learn, share, act.
Research
1. Understanding the root causes of malnutrition
➡️ Developing effective, context-specific and multi-sectoral responses through:
📝 Methodological support for field actors
🔍 Studies and research to identify the drivers of malnutrition in diverse contexts
Learning
1. Learning from experience
➡️ Continuously adapting and improving our actions through:
📌 Capturing feedback from the field
🔍 Documenting both good practices and lessons from challenges
2. Improving the effectiveness of the management of malnutrition
➡️ Working with local communities to develop sustainable and appropriate responses through:
🛠️Designing protocols rooted in local practices
👥 Enhancing support for families, during and after treatment
🎯 Promoting integrated care for childhood illnesses and acute malnutrition
2. Promoting local knowledge
➡️ Strengthening relevance and local ownership through:
📌 Valuing the knowledge and expertise of recognized communities.
📝 Documenting and elevating traditional knowledge
3. Addressing climate and ecological crises to strengthen nutrition security
➡️ Adapting to environmental challenges and exploring agroecology as a sustainable solution through:
📌 Generating scientific evidence at community level
🌱 Co-creating lasting, locally appropriate solutions
👥 Assessing the health impacts of ecological and climate crises
3. Transforming knowledge into action
➡️ Turning learning into impact by:
📌 Integrating research findings into programmes, practices and policies
⚙️ Using lessons learned to inform future interventions and/or influence policy
Our research & learning projects
Current research projects
TISA project
MAM – CHiFT project
EfRAMAS Project
Finalised research projects
Opti’DIAG Project
MAM’out Project
MANGO Project
Learning projects
Right2Grow Programmatic Learning Catalogue
Right2Grow Learning Week
Research 4 Action Methology
Spreading our knowledge beyond ACF
Conference #R4NUT – Research for Nutrition
Launched in 2016 by Action contre la Faim, the Research for Nutrition (R4NUT) conference is an international scientific event dedicated to advancing knowledge in the field of nutrition security.
Its mission is to create a unique space for sharing cutting-edge research with real impact on humanitarian practice. The conference brings together academic, technical, and operational actors to exchange on the latest scientific developments in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of undernutrition—bridging the gap between research and action on the ground.
ACF Foundation
Established in 2013 under the aegis of the Institut de France, the Action contre la Faim Foundation for Research and Innovation supports the fight against hunger by advancing scientific knowledge. Its mission is to deepen our understanding of the causes of undernutrition and improve its treatment through high-quality research and innovation.
Our publications
Our research publications
POST-HARVEST LOSSES AND STRATEGIES TO REDUCE THEM
25 January 2018