UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks10.9.1. Session 10.9. Distribution of Food and Material in Emergencies

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks 10.9.1.

Session 10.9.Session 10.9.

Distribution of Distribution of Food and Material Food and Material in Emergenciesin Emergencies


Distribution: The last link in the chainDistribution: The last link in the chain• SOURCE• OCEAN TRANSPORT• PORT WAREHOUSE • TRUCK• CENTRAL WAREHOUSE

• TRUCK• REGIONAL WAREHOUSE • TRUCK• CAMP STORAGE• DISTRIBUTION

• REFUGEES• they hold the key


fairnessfairness

outreach (e.g. to vulnerable groups..)outreach (e.g. to vulnerable groups..)

manageabilitymanageability

efficiencyefficiency

orderlinessorderliness

others?others?

Attributes of a Good Distribution SystemAttributes of a Good Distribution System


Questions to be Answered in Designing a Questions to be Answered in Designing a Distribution SystemDistribution System

What is to be distributed?What is to be distributed?

Fixed or variable distribution time?Fixed or variable distribution time?

Regularity of distribution?Regularity of distribution?

Level of administrative control?Level of administrative control?

Level of refugee self-management?Level of refugee self-management?


Refugee Involvement Refugee Involvement (especially women)(especially women) assessmentassessment food committees & planningfood committees & planning distributorsdistributors information campaigninformation campaign monitoringmonitoring

The intent is to support the family unit in self-management


Basic Types of Distribution Systems

1. To groups through the group leadership

2. To groups of heads of families

3. To individual heads of families


Distribution Type 1.

To groups through the group leadership

Commodities are given in bulk to the leader of a group who further divides them among the group


Distribution type 2.

To groups of heads of families

Commodities for a group of families are distributed to group representatives, who immediately redistribute them to individual family heads


Distribution type 3.

To individual heads of families

Commodities are distributed directly to each family head


Selection of a Distribution System

Distribution to individual heads of

family - Type 3

Distribution to groups of heads of family

- Type 2

Distribution to groups through the leadership-

Type 1

level of control by the

refugees

resources needed to implement

system


Weighing the Advantages - Type 1.

To groups through the group leadership

Disadvantages

Advantages



To groups of heads of family

Disadvantages

Advantages



To individual heads of families

Disadvantages

Advantages


Monitoring Food Distribution - 1

Q. - What if there is not enough for everyone?

A. - Postpone distribution?

Reduce ration amount?

Give to special groups only?

Other options?


Q. - What if there is large-scale diversion of food?


Re-register?

Change distribution system?

Other options?



Q. - What if there are complaints that women and children are not receiving the food?

A. - Conduct end-use surveys?

Distribute to women only?

Improve public information?

Add guards or police?

Other options?



Q. - What if there is a serious security threat from the crowd?


Relocate distribution point?

Improve communications?

Add guards or police?

Other options?



Memorandum of Understanding Memorandum of Understanding Between UNHCR & WFPBetween UNHCR & WFP

The MOU covers the following areas:The MOU covers the following areas:

Objectives of WFP/UNHCR cooperationObjectives of WFP/UNHCR cooperation Intervention mandates in refugee, returnee Intervention mandates in refugee, returnee

and, selectively, internally displaced and, selectively, internally displaced persons situationspersons situations

Needs assessmentNeeds assessment


Memorandum of Understanding Memorandum of Understanding Between UNHCR & WFPBetween UNHCR & WFP

The MOU also covers:The MOU also covers:

Resource mobilization guidelines and Resource mobilization guidelines and emergency response capacityemergency response capacity

Logistics implementationLogistics implementation Distribution, monitoring and reportingDistribution, monitoring and reporting Food aid coordination mechanisms and Food aid coordination mechanisms and

proceduresprocedures


According to the MOU…According to the MOU…

““UNHCR will remain responsible for arranging final UNHCR will remain responsible for arranging final distribution of all food commodities to targeted distribution of all food commodities to targeted refugee/ returnee beneficiaries at the camp / refugee/ returnee beneficiaries at the camp / distribution site level, through...a designated distribution site level, through...a designated government or NGO implementing partner...government or NGO implementing partner...The The designation of the distribution agent is jointly decided by the designation of the distribution agent is jointly decided by the governmentgovernment and UNHCR in consultation with and UNHCR in consultation with WFPWFP.”.”

Documents

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks10.9.1. Session 10.9. Distribution of Food and Material in Emergencies