I. Introduction
Action Against Poverty (AAP) entered into a General Food Distribution (GFD) agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP) in May 2017 to mitigate the devastating impact of drought in the Bari region of Puntland, Somalia. The project aimed to provide urgent food assistance to vulnerable and food-insecure households, particularly in the coastal district of Caluula and surrounding areas. This report outlines the project’s activities, distribution details, challenges encountered, lessons learned, and recommendations for future actions.
II. Project Overview
The primary objective of the GFD project was to ensure that the most vulnerable households, including female-headed families, persons with disabilities, displaced individuals, and large multi-family households, received food assistance. AAP followed a transparent selection process that adhered to WFP’s criteria, which included asset ownership, household size, and membership in minority groups.
Key Activities:
- AAP ensured that community members were actively involved in the selection process to ensure fairness and transparency.
- Beneficiaries were registered into WFP’s Scope system, enabling them to receive electronic cards for food distribution.
- AAP worked closely with local community committees, elders, and women’s groups to explain the project’s objectives and selection criteria.
III. Distribution Details
Over the course of the project, AAP distributed electronic Scope cards to households in 19 villages across the Bari region. A total of 1,850 households were planned for assistance, with 1,797 successfully receiving their cards. The detailed distribution report is summarized below:
| Village | Planned HH | Cards Received | Cards Distributed | HH Absent |
| Buuro-xamur | 70 | 70 | 68 | 2 |
| Ceel-quud | 100 | 100 | 96 | 4 |
| Barxa | 50 | 50 | 25 | 3 |
| Bareeda | 200 | 200 | 200 | 0 |
| Caluula town | 180 | 180 | 171 | 9 |
| Xaabbo | 150 | 150 | 148 | 2 |
| Muudiye | 150 | 150 | 148 | 2 |
| Geesaley | 100 | 100 | 100 | 0 |
| Other villages | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1,850 | 1,850 | 1,797 | 25 |
IV. Monitoring and Community Engagement
Throughout the project, AAP closely monitored the implementation process and maintained open communication with community leaders and beneficiaries. The team met with local authorities, community committees, and vulnerable groups in each village to explain the project and gather feedback. AAP also maintained attendance records for beneficiaries on a monthly basis, ensuring accountability and transparency.
The communities expressed their appreciation for AAP’s efforts and understood the criteria for selecting beneficiaries. This engagement was crucial in fostering trust and ensuring smooth implementation.
V. Challenges Encountered
Despite the project’s success, several challenges arose during its implementation:
- Community Requests for More Beneficiaries: In many villages, community members requested that more households be included in the project due to widespread food insecurity. AAP had to explain that the number of beneficiaries was fixed based on the available resources, which eventually was accepted by the communities.
- Delays in WFP Registration Kits: The delay in receiving registration kits from WFP led to postponed payments to beneficiaries.
- Expectations for Additional Projects: Both the local government and communities expressed high expectations for further assistance beyond the scope of the current project. This was managed through discussions between AAP, community leaders, and local authorities.
VI. Lessons Learned
From the implementation of this project, several key lessons were identified:
- Urgency of Support: The drought in Puntland had a severe impact on communities, highlighting the urgent need for continued and expanded food assistance programs.
- Beneficiary Numbers: The initial number of beneficiaries planned for assistance was insufficient to meet the level of need in the affected areas.
- Community Involvement: Active community participation and clear communication throughout the project were critical in ensuring transparency and fostering cooperation.
VII. Recommendations
Given the scope of the drought’s impact and the needs expressed by the communities, AAP recommends the following actions moving forward:
- Multi-Activity Proposals: AAP proposes submitting a multi-activity project proposal to WFP, which could include road rehabilitation and other initiatives to support long-term community recovery. These activities would help address access issues resulting from the drought.
- Expanded Beneficiary Numbers: Future projects should consider increasing the number of beneficiaries to account for the widespread effects of drought and the high levels of vulnerability within the region.
- Sustained Engagement: Continued engagement with local authorities and community leaders is essential for successful project implementation and to manage expectations for future support.
Conclusion
The GFD project implemented by AAP in partnership with WFP has had a significant impact on addressing food insecurity in drought-affected areas of Puntland. By prioritizing the most vulnerable households and ensuring transparency in the selection process, AAP has helped alleviate some of the immediate needs faced by these communities. However, the challenges and lessons learned from this project underscore the importance of expanding future interventions to better meet the needs of these vulnerable populations.
Prepared by:
Action Against Poverty (AAP)
Khadijo Moalin Mohamed, Chair Lady
Date: 02/05/2018
