| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
The food distribution and feeding programmes intended
to respond to low harvests and food insecurity in several
countries in the Sahel region of Africa are now coming
to a close. While operations were initially delayed
due to the slow arrival of contributions, the activities
were able to fulfil the objective of assisting the
most vulnerable during the lean period between harvests.
The programme served to emphasize the alarmingly high
levels of child malnutrition in the Sahelian belt,
raising awareness amongst local communities in the
process. Particularly favourable results were achieved
in those activities which took advantage of pre-existing
health structures. The operation has promoted regional
co-operation, and highlighted the need to develop a
regional approach to food insecurity by reinforcing
coping strategies amongst the affected population and
by strengthening the various National Societies.
The context In late March 1998, the Federation launched
an Appeal which sought to provide food assistance to
88,500 beneficiaries in nine countries in the Sahelian
belt for a period of ten months. Poor harvests of
millet, sorghum, rice and ground nuts resulting from
drought and pest infestations occur most years, and
in 1998 conditions were worsened by the El Niño
phenomenon. The 1997 - 1998 food deficit was estimated
by UN agencies and governments at 700,000 MT, affecting
more than three million people in Burkina Faso, Chad,
Cape Verde, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria
and Senegal. For several countries, this was the
second or third consecutive year of dramatic food shortages.
As a result, prices of cereals rose by between 10%
and 30% in the region, and grain and seed stores were
totally exhausted. Each year food shortages are at
the root of outbreaks of disease, malnutrition, increased
vulnerability, and migration to urban centres.
This Appeal took a sub-regional approach since the nine
countries involved share common experiences in the
annual struggle against food insecurity. With the
guidance of the Federation's Regional Delegation for
West Africa (based in Abidjan), standard drought assessments
were conducted in each country in January 1998. Results
were reviewed and a joint Appeal formulated at a special
workshop in Abidjan, with technical advice provided
from both the Federation's Secretariat and the Regional
Delegation. The Appeal was two-pronged:
the relief component aimed to provide immediate
food assistance to the most vulnerable, primarily to
children under five, pregnant and lactating mothers,
and the elderly;
The development component focused on health,
nutrition, and family planning education, as well as
establishing community projects.
Latest events The initial response to the Appeal was
low, with an overall coverage of only 30% against the
original Appeal budget. In May, 1998, a revision of
the budget and of the objectives therefore took place,
and operations began in Niger and in Cape Verde. In
Burkina Faso, Chad, the Gambia, Mali, Mauritania and
Senegal operations commenced in June or July. In Nigeria,
where effects of the drought were less drastic than
anticipated, relief activities did not take place.
Feeding and distribution programmes are now coming to
a close and will be finalised in all countries in early
1999. A workshop is planned to take place in late
January in Abidjan which will examine the operations
conducted in each country, strengths and weaknesses,
and lessons learned. The workshop will also promote
an exchange of information and assess the effectiveness
of the sub-regional approach.
The participants will work towards drawing up
a comprehensive report on the operation.
Health and nutritional education were also incorporated
into all programme activities. However, as a result
of funding constraints the initiation of the community
development projects were delayed. Operations carried
out in the sub region have lead to the conclusion that
a more durable solution to the problem of food security
in the region must be sought. There is a need to reinforce
community coping mechanisms and reduce dependence on
external assistance.
Red Cross/Red Crescent action Burkina Faso: The Burkinabe
Red Cross Society provided assistance for 8,424 beneficiaries
in Yatenga and Soum Provinces. Overall, the nutritional
situation in the country deteriorated rapidly as a
result of cereal shortages and dramatic price increases.
Given the arrival of the rainy season and deteriorating
road conditions, only one distribution was able to
take place. 17 volunteers took part in the operation,
working in co-operation with 30 relief officers from
the local branches.
Chad: The Red Cross of Chad established eight "baby
food" centres for malnourished children under
five in four regions: Kanem, Arkiné, Gamri and
Rigrig. Five distributions took place, assisting up
to 2,000 beneficiaries per distribution. Major problems
occurred as a result of the rainy season which devastated
roads and isolated entire communities. The centre
of Moubi Goz, located some 700 km from the capital
of N'Djamena, could not be reached as torrential waters
poured from the mountain-sides, sweeping away everything
in their path, including vehicles. The operation was
carried out with the support of the French Red Cross
Delegate based in N'Djamena.
Cape Verde: The operation commenced in June, with seven
distributions carried out. Although the Appeal targeted
10,000 of the most vulnerable, funds were sufficient
for distributions to 1,250 persons only, primarily
focused on malnourished children, handicapped, chronically
ill, and the elderly. However, thanks to a contribution
from the Spanish Red Cross, distributions will continue
until March 1999. As of the sixth distribution an
additional 7,550 beneficiaries were able to receive
rations. Assistance will also be extended beyond Praia
(Santiago Island) and the island of Fogo to San Vicente,
San Nicolau and Sal. Although Cape Verde is typically
dependent on food imports, following the 1998 harvest
a deficit of up to 42% in relation to average harvests
over the last five years is anticipated.
The Gambia: Following the beneficiary selection process,
three distributions of rice, vegetable oil, sugar and
beans have covered the needs of approximately 4,490
beneficiaries. Distributions were held in 25 key villages
in four of the country's five Divisions. Relief assistance
was targeted at malnourished children and beneficiary
selection was carried out in co-operation with two
nutritionists assigned by the Department of State.
Four orientation and awareness workshops were also
held with the participation of community health nurses,
representatives of village development committees,
and Red Cross branch personnel. The collaboration
with the Department of Health also facilitated child
vaccination initiatives. The British Red Cross has
allocated CHF 53,000 for community projects, with projects
consisting of tie dye production, market gardening,
as well as training in micro-project management and
health/nutritional education.
Mali: Despite severe flooding in August and September,
the Mali Red Cross carried out two distributions of
both dry and wet rations for 4,155 beneficiaries primarily
consisting of children under eight years old, pregnant
and lactating women, and elderly persons. The second
distribution which took place in September included
540 beneficiaries from the Gossi area where significant
needs had been identified. The Swiss Red Cross bilateral
Delegate assisted the National Society in beneficiary
selection, training of volunteers, and monitoring of
the distributions. As a result of this operation,
a local branch was created in Gossi. Volunteers took
the opportunity to provide beneficiaries with education
on hygiene and the importance of clean water.
Mauritania: As a result of the late arrival of assistance,
population movements had already begun towards urban
centres. 60 Community Feeding Centres were established
in three regions (Gorgol, Assaba and Brakna) in favour
of 6,000 beneficiaries for a three month period, again
primarily for malnourished children under five and
their mothers. The children received wet rations,
whilst the mothers received a ration of cereals. Thanks
to a contribution from the Spanish Red Cross, a further
operation was launched for to distribute dry rations
to vulnerable groups (a total of 10,000 people for
three months, and 2,150 people for one month with a
focus on pregnant and lactating women, the elderly,
and the handicapped). The programme extended over
five regions including nine districts of the capital
of Nouakchott. Three distributions took place and
health and nutritional education was provided to those
responsible for the feeding centres who then ran training
sessions for the mothers.
Niger: As a result of funding delays, CHF 10,000 was
allocated from the DREF fund in order to initiate activities
in Niger. 4,900 families (approximately 25,000 persons)
were targeted in the Districts of Ouallam, Tillabéry
and Diffa. Five distributions of family rations consisting
of millet, beans, sugar and oil have taken place.
Eleven distribution centres were set up in Ouallam
and 9 centres in Diffa. Since there were shortages
of seed for the planting season (particularly in Ouallam),
the provision of millet enabled farmers to plant. A
total of 58 volunteers participated in the operation.
Delays occurred in the delivery of oil, sugar and beans,
and reduced rations were therefore distributed initially.
The "Coopération Française"
donated 895 MT of wheat and 30 MT of enriched flour.
As the donation did not include distribution costs,
the Niger Red Cross was obliged to return a portion
of the donation to the Coopération Française.
Activities were carried out with the support of the
French Red Cross Delegate.
Senegal: Two distributions of rations were completed
on 15 November, 1998. 6,662 beneficiaries made up of
children under five, and pregnant and lactating women
received rations of rice, beans, oil and sugar. 60
volunteers were mobilised for the distributions. Food
shortages in the targeted districts had resulted in
movements towards urban centres. However, following
government and Red Cross intervention, the situation
in the targeted areas improved visibly. As a result
of lack of funding, educational sessions and the setting
up of four millet-grinding mills in village centres
have not been accomplished.
Outstanding Needs Four workshops are envisaged following
the conclusion of the operations in the Sahel. The
first will analyse the implementation of the programme
activities, whilst the other three aim to examine Federation
strategy in the light of the recurring problem of food
security. These workshops will gather participants
from both National Societies and specialised agencies
including the FAO, WFP, ODI and Arid Lands Network.
A budget totalling CHF 167,340 has been drawn up for
these workshops to be held in February, April and July
(respectively). These workshops will be linked to
the regional partnership meeting (April) and the regional
planning meeting (tentatively for July), and funds
are sought in order to conduct these workshops.
External relations - Government/UN/NGOs/Media The National
Societies in the Sahel region maintained contact with
their respective governments and with the major agencies
dealing with food security in the region in order to
maximise coordination and to avoid duplication. The
Regional Delegation was responsible for co-ordinating
the operation and the Regional Relief Delegate undertook
a number of missions to the Sahel countries in order
to follow up on programme implementation and provide
technical advice and assistance. Satisfactory media
coverage took place at the national level; there was,
however, little regional or international coverage.
Conclusion The food assistance operations carried out
in the Sahelian belt helped vulnerable communities
to survive during the difficult period between harvests,
reducing suffering and avoiding further migration towards
urban centres. In total, 130,000 rations were distributed,
composed of food adapted to local customs. The National
Societies carried out the operations competently, and
undertook initial assessments in order to target food
aid. As a result of this Appeal, regional co-operation
has been promoted.
An FAO report issued recently indicates that in the
major food-producing countries of the Sahel record
harvests for 1998 - 1999 are anticipated as a result
of favourable conditions. The FAO expects unprecedented
harvests in Chad, Mali and Niger and above-average
harvests in the Gambia. However, the shortfall in
Cape Verde and Mauritania will be more significant
than the average over recent years. Therefore, in 1999
the Sahel countries, with the exception of Cape Verde
and Mauritania, should be less vulnerable to food insecurity.
Nevertheless, because the cycle of drought and food
insecurity is a perennial problem in the Sahel, the
workshops scheduled in 1999 will serve to review the
Federation's approach to reinforcing community coping
mechanisms, and to develop more effective assistance
strategies.
UNQUOTE
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 15:35:13 From: IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@wa.ocha.unon.org> Subject: SAHEL REGION: IFRC Report on Food Security 1999.1.29
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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