Unconditional Emergency Food Assistance for Cyclone Sagar Response Project

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  1. Objective:

This report details the progress of AAP NGO’s partnership with WFP in providing unconditional emergency food assistance to the victims of Cyclone Sagar in Caluula district. The aim of the project was to distribute essential food supplies to households affected by the cyclone and support their recovery by addressing immediate food security needs. The project covered 2,000 households across 23 food distribution points (FDPs) in both rural and urban areas of the district.

  2. Background and Context:

AAP NGO has been operating in Caluula district since 2011, implementing various humanitarian interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable communities. Cyclone Sagar, which hit in 2017, caused widespread destruction, including damage to homes, crops, infrastructure, and displacement of villagers. Major roads were flooded, boats were destroyed, and access to critical infrastructure like the airport and key trade routes was cut off. The post-cyclone assessment, conducted by AAP with local authorities and community elders, highlighted the urgent need for food, medicine, shelter, and clean water, as well as rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure.

In response to these findings, AAP, in partnership with WFP, initiated a general food distribution (GFD) program. This program aimed to provide immediate relief through in-kind food distributions and electronic voucher transfers, which allowed families to purchase essential food items.

3. Project Overview:

Duration:
The food distribution project initially began in June 2018 and was extended into December 2018 due to the prolonged need for assistance in the region.

Target Population:
The project targeted 2,000 households affected by Cyclone Sagar. Beneficiaries were selected in consultation with community elders, women’s groups, and local minority groups to ensure transparency and inclusion. This selection process focused on the most vulnerable, including displaced families and those who lost their livelihoods.

Methodology: The distribution utilized both in-kind food supplies and cash-based transfers via the WFP’s SCOPE platform, which allowed beneficiaries to receive and redeem electronic vouchers at designated locations. Food distributions took place across 23 FDPs in rural and urban areas, with logistical support provided by AAP.

4. Food Distribution Activities (July-December 2018):

The following key activities were carried out during the distribution:

  • Mobilization of Distribution Teams: AAP deployed two teams from its Bosaso office to ensure the smooth distribution of food in 23 FDPs. These teams worked closely with community elders, committees, and local authorities to coordinate the delivery and ensure that all stakeholders understood the process.
  • Training of Staff: AAP trained warehouse storekeepers to ensure food was properly managed and stored in safe conditions.This included training on maintaining stock integrity, temperature control, and secure handling of the commodities.
  • Logistics Arrangements: AAP arranged for transportation and warehousing logistics, particularly challenging due to poor road conditions and distances between FDPs. In some areas, like Olog, the only available transportation option was by boat, which increased logistical costs significantly.
  • Food Items Distributed: Each household received a ration of 50kg of cereals, 10kg of pulses, 10.5kg of vegetable oil, and 10kg of CSB (corn-soya blend). Over the course of the project, the total distributed amounts included:
    • 100 MT of cereals,
    • 20 MT of pulses,
    • 21 MT of vegetable oil,
    • 20 MT of CSB, resulting in a total distribution of 161 MT of food.
  • Monitoring and Accountability: The distribution was monitored closely, with beneficiaries signing receipt sheets to confirm that they received their allocations. Community committees and elders were actively involved in ensuring that the process was transparent and accountable. Monitoring teams also engaged with the affected communities to discuss any concerns or grievances related to the distribution.

5. Key Achievements:

  • Households Reached: A total of 2,000 households across 23 FDPs benefited from the food distribution. The use of electronic voucher transfers (CBT) helped streamline the distribution, allowing beneficiaries flexibility in redeeming food items while stimulating local markets.
  • Community Involvement: The project ensured significant community participation, with the selection process being inclusive and transparent, involving local authorities, elders, and community groups.
  • Equal Distribution: Despite challenges such as poor road networks, the use of MPOS machines (Mobile Point of Sale) ensured equitable distribution and minimized discrepancies. AAP coordinated with local authorities to address minor issues like lost vouchers and missing e-cards.

6. Challenges Faced:

While the project was largely successful, it encountered several challenges:

  • Transportation Costs: High costs were incurred in transporting food due to the poor condition of roads and the remoteness of some villages. For instance, some areas like Olog were only accessible by boat, which increased costs to $4.10 per 50kg bag of food.
  • Poor Road Conditions: Some roads were impassable due to the cyclone’s impact, leading to delays and difficulties in delivering food to some FDPs. AAP had to rent storage facilities close to the distribution points to mitigate this challenge.
  • Network Connectivity: Weak network connections in remote areas hindered the use of MPOS machines, leading to delays in processing electronic vouchers.
  • Disruptions from Neighboring Villages: In some instances, neighboring villages that were not affected by the cyclone attempted to disrupt the distribution process. AAP responded by increasing security and organizing storekeepers to manage distribution sites more effectively.

7. Lessons Learned:

  • Continued Need for Humanitarian Aid: Despite the successful food distribution, there remains a considerable need for ongoing support, as some households have yet to recover from the cyclone’s impact. More families need assistance, and the infrastructure challenges persist.
  • Integrated Approach Required: To address the root causes of poverty and vulnerability, AAP recommends integrating livelihood support, nutrition, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) interventions in future projects. The need for clean water and improved sanitation was critical in several villages.

8. Recommendations:

  1. Extend the Project: Due to the ongoing needs of the cyclone-affected population, AAP recommends extending the emergency food distribution to include additional villages and increase the number of beneficiaries.
  2. Increase Voucher Value: To account for the high cost of living in remote areas like Caluula, AAP suggests increasing the voucher value from $90 to $120 to provide adequate support to beneficiaries.
  3. Road Rehabilitation: Poor road conditions are a significant barrier to delivering humanitarian aid efficiently. AAP recommends road rehabilitation projects in Caluula to improve access to remote villages and facilitate future interventions.
  4. Integrated Livelihood and WASH Programs: Alongside food assistance, AAP emphasizes the need for livelihood recovery programs, livestock restocking, and WASH interventions to support long-term recovery and improve sanitation and hygiene conditions.

9. Conclusion:

The emergency food distribution project successfully addressed the immediate food needs of 2,000 households affected by Cyclone Sagar in Caluula district. Despite logistical challenges, the project achieved its goals, providing critical relief to vulnerable communities. Moving forward, AAP recommends extending the project duration, increasing support, and integrating additional interventions to help these communities recover and rebuild their livelihoods.

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