Authorization of efforts to prevent and treat malnutrition globally

(a) In general The Undersecretary for Strategic Assistance is authorized to provide assistance to monitor and treat malnutrition when deemed in the interests of the United States, at the discretion of the Undersecretary. (b) Delineation of functions The Undersecretary for Strategic Assistance shall conduct such work in coordination with the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy of the Department, the Office of Global Food Security, and the Bureau of Migration and Disaster Assistance of the Department. (c) Consultation The primary bureau or office designated to perform such functions as provided under this section shall consult with the applicable regional bureau as determined to be in the best interest of the aforementioned office or bureau. (d) Primary duties and responsibilities The Office of Global Food Security is hereby authorized to carry out the following functions: (1) Exercise strategic oversight of, and provide direction for, the nutrition response component of humanitarian programming. (2) Promote and facilitate the ownership and leadership of partner countries in the design and implementation of nutrition-related programs in contexts requiring humanitarian assistance, including in circumstances where such planning mechanisms do not currently exist. (3) Coordinate, oversee, and support collaborative activities, programming, and initiatives with the interagency, multilateral organizations, and other partners, including activities, programming, and initiatives carried out under— (A) the Food for Peace; (B) the Feed the Future Initiative; (C) the Department of Agriculture; (D) the Famine Early Warning Systems Network; (E) United Nations Children’s Fund; (F) the World Food Programme; and (G) such other bilateral or multilateral mechanisms as the Undersecretary may determine to be appropriate. (4) Provide technical or programmatic assistance, upon request, to the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy of the Department or to any regional bureau of the Department. The Office of Global Food Security shall consult with the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy and the Bureau of Migration and Disaster Assistance of the Department. (5) The Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy is authorized to provide technical support through consultation to the Office of Global Food Security for maximizing efficiency and establishing best practices related to nutrition assistance. Additionally, the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy is authorized to request nutrition assistance from the Office of Global Food Security in the event such assistance maximizes efficiency in coordinating and conducting global health programs, and it is in the interest of the United States, and in the event acute malnutrition is prevalent in areas where other global health assistance is being provided, at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary for Global Health Security and Diplomacy. (6) For the Bureau of Migration and Disaster Assistance, the Under Secretary for Strategic Assistance is authorized to provide technical support through consultation to the Office of Global Food Security for maximizing efficiency and establishing best practices related to refugee resettlement and migration, and to ensure nutrition assistance aligns with and supports the Department’s existing assistance efforts for refugees and internally displaced persons. (A) Under circumstances where the Undersecretary furnishes such assistance, the Undersecretary shall prioritize support for the most vulnerable populations susceptible to severe malnutrition, including children under the age of 5 and pregnant and lactating women. (B) The Undersecretary is authorized to determine and target partner countries by prioritizing the most cost-effective and proven malnutrition prevention and treatments interventions, with planning to transition to partner country ownership in preventing malnutrition. Such interventions may include— (i) multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS); (ii) breastfeeding support; (iii) vitamin A supplementation; and (iv) specialized nutritious food products for the treatment of acute malnutrition, and other evidence-based interventions, as deemed appropriate at the discretion of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Food Security, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Global Health Security and Diplomacy. (7) The Undersecretary shall ensure rigorous monitoring and evaluation of such efforts in consultation with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Food Security.