The Modality Decision Tool (MDT) Nutrition Addendum aids implementing partners (IPs) to apply a nutrition lens to the selection of appropriate food assistance modalities (cash, vouchers, or in-kind) for the nutritionally vulnerable. IPs are encouraged to use this addendum alongside the MDT when planning for the development of interventions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNA) sub-sector as described in Annex A of the Bureau for Humanitarian (BHA) Assistance Emergency Application Guidelines. The SNA sub-sector, found under the Nutrition Sector, aims to provide additional support to specific vulnerable groups to access adequate and diverse diets.
This addendum presents considerations in alignment with the four MDT concepts of appropriateness, feasibility, objective, and cost, providing nutrition-relevant questions that may relate to various steps in the program design process. It aims to assist IPs to optimize modality choice and enhance intervention design so as to better achieve nutrition and related food security outcomes. These considerations were informed by IP best practice and published evidence related to cash, voucher, and direct food distribution programs for vulnerable populations.