UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Session Distribution of Food and Material in Emergencies

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Distribution: 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

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks  fairness  outreach (e.g. to vulnerable groups..)  manageability  efficiency  orderliness  others? Attributes of a Good Distribution System

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks  Questions to be Answered in Designing a Distribution System  What is to be distributed?  Fixed or variable distribution time?  Regularity of distribution?  Level of administrative control?  Level of refugee self-management?

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Refugee Involvement (especially women)  assessment  food committees & planning  distributors  information campaign  monitoring The intent is to support the family unit in self- management

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks 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

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks 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

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks 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

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Distribution type 3. To individual heads of families Commodities are distributed directly to each family head

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks 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

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Weighing the Advantages - Type 1. To groups through the group leadership Disadvantages Advantages

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Weighing the Advantages - Type 2. To groups of heads of family Disadvantages Advantages

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Weighing the Advantages - Type 3. To individual heads of families Disadvantages Advantages

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks 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?

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Q. - What if there is large-scale diversion of food? A. - Postpone distribution? Re-register? Change distribution system? Other options? Monitoring Food Distribution - 2

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks 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? Monitoring Food Distribution - 3

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Q. - What if there is a serious security threat from the crowd? A. - Postpone distribution? Relocate distribution point? Improve communications? Add guards or police? Other options? Monitoring Food Distribution - 4

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Memorandum of Understanding Between UNHCR & WFP The MOU covers the following areas:  Objectives of WFP/UNHCR cooperation  Intervention mandates in refugee, returnee and, selectively, internally displaced persons situations  Needs assessment

UNHCR/eCentre/InterWorks Memorandum of Understanding Between UNHCR & WFP The MOU also covers:  Resource mobilization guidelines and emergency response capacity  Logistics implementation  Distribution, monitoring and reporting  Food aid coordination mechanisms and procedures

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