TANZANIA
Food Distribution and Targeting Planner
(1998)

Crop failures were responsible for the mobilization of a large food aid package. A number of NGOs received the task to distribute to the relevant beneficiaries but most of them were short of targeting methodologies.

Hired by Save the Children (UK), I got the chance to operate in Mara, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Singida and Dodoma regions. The task was to define criteria for the selection of beneficiaries and to allow a better understanding of the food economy and the coping mechanisms involved during food crisis. I cooperated with various NGOs and the local authorities in adapting the targeting methods and organized several workshops.

During July 98, it became clear that the harvest of cereal was going to be much lower than expected particularly in Singida, Shinyanga and Dodoma region. I was assigned in Singida and prepared a geographical targeting by collecting crop and livestock data in 250 villages.

In September 98, WFP backed an emergency food distribution of 9000 MT. During October 98, the activation of distribution committee was completed in all the 88 villages targeted therefor the distribution could proceed before the November's rain.

That mission was very important to me as it has allow me to mix logistics, RRA, statistics, agriculture and database management. It was very exciting and rewarding.

Albert Grela - Agriculture, M&E, Irrigation