The Development of Food Aid

MAC/WFY

Page-108

0230_553559_13_cha09

108

194570. Early Attempts: FAO's Pioneering Work

for integrated regional and area development programmes. It also had a number
of other advantages. WFP commitments could be switched from activities within
a multi-project that were performing badly to those progressing well. Small-scale
activities could be incorporated or they could be brought together within the
framework of what was called `multi-purpose projects'. A number of small activ-
ities could then be supported in one approved projects without creating excessive
overhead costs.

The report recognized that food aid could also support the national development

plans of developing countries. Preference could be given to assisting countries
whose development plans involved a considerable expansion of employment and
thus the demand for food. Within this approach, food aid could be tied to an
approved body of projects to be executed as part of a development plan. In addi-
tion, if there was a major expansion of WFP resources, contributions might be
made on a significant scale for the establishment of national food reserves.

WFP collaboration with the UN and its specialized agencies `should be deepened

and become more sustained'. Close attention should be given to the association of
WFP assistance with the technical services provided by the UN and its specialized
agencies; the formulation by them of projects within their own mandates that
could benefit from WFP assistance; provision of technical advice and support
during the implementation of WFP-supported projects; and, specifically, closer
collaboration with UNICEF.

The report also called for closer collaboration between WFP and international

organizations outside the UN system and with bilateral food aid programmes. WFP
aid had not been provided in association with food aid from other sources during
its three-year experimental period because of the need to evaluate its performance
before a decision was taken to continue its operations. This was no longer neces-
sary. WFP could take part in consultative groups and aid consortia, and in jointly-
financed projects, in which its aid could be combined with bilateral assistance.
Collaboration with non-governmental organizations could also be 'substantially
increased'.

The proposal that WFP should provide non-food items in kind, in addition to

food commodities, proved to be a controversial issue. The non-food items that
might be channelled through WFP were identified as fertilizers, pesticides, specific
types of farm machinery, and storage equipment and materials. It was recognized
that the impact of WFP-assisted projects could be considerably enhanced if food
aid was accompanied by these non-food inputs. More aid could be provided by
supplying non-food items at concessional prices than by providing food aid alone.
And the surplus capacity of developed countries would be utilized, thereby creating
greater employment.

However, certain negative factors were noted. In view of the lack of interest

shown by potential donors in making non-food items available as aid through
WFP, the danger of such aid displacing pledges of food, and the desirability of
WFP concentrating its efforts on food aid, it was decided that it was inadvisable to
embark on changes in WFP's operations. WFP did set up a small non-food items
unit in 1974 to obtain such items directly related to WFP-assisted development

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Useful links	The Development of Food Aid MAC/WFY Page-108 0230_553559_13_cha09 108 194570. Early Attempts: FAO's Pioneering Work for integrated regional and area development programmes. It also had a number of other advantages. WFP commitments could be switched from activities within a multi-project that were performing badly to those progressing well. Small-scale activities could be incorporated or they could be brought together within the framework of what was called `multi-purpose projects'. A number of small activ- ities could then be supported in one approved projects without creating excessive overhead costs. The report recognized that food aid could also support the national development plans of developing countries. Preference could be given to assisting countries whose development plans involved a considerable expansion of employment and thus the demand for food. Within this approach, food aid could be tied to an approved body of projects to be executed as part of a development plan. In addi- tion, if there was a major expansion of WFP resources, contributions might be made on a significant scale for the establishment of national food reserves. WFP collaboration with the UN and its specialized agencies `should be deepened and become more sustained'. Close attention should be given to the association of WFP assistance with the technical services provided by the UN and its specialized agencies; the formulation by them of projects within their own mandates that could benefit from WFP assistance; provision of technical advice and support during the implementation of WFP-supported projects; and, specifically, closer collaboration with UNICEF. The report also called for closer collaboration between WFP and international organizations outside the UN system and with bilateral food aid programmes. WFP aid had not been provided in association with food aid from other sources during its three-year experimental period because of the need to evaluate its performance before a decision was taken to continue its operations. This was no longer neces- sary. WFP could take part in consultative groups and aid consortia, and in jointly- financed projects, in which its aid could be combined with bilateral assistance. Collaboration with non-governmental organizations could also be 'substantially increased'. The proposal that WFP should provide non-food items in kind, in addition to food commodities, proved to be a controversial issue. The non-food items that might be channelled through WFP were identified as fertilizers, pesticides, specific types of farm machinery, and storage equipment and materials. It was recognized that the impact of WFP-assisted projects could be considerably enhanced if food aid was accompanied by these non-food inputs. More aid could be provided by supplying non-food items at concessional prices than by providing food aid alone. And the surplus capacity of developed countries would be utilized, thereby creating greater employment. However, certain negative factors were noted. In view of the lack of interest shown by potential donors in making non-food items available as aid through WFP, the danger of such aid displacing pledges of food, and the desirability of WFP concentrating its efforts on food aid, it was decided that it was inadvisable to embark on changes in WFP's operations. WFP did set up a small non-food items unit in 1974 to obtain such items directly related to WFP-assisted development back to top Next page
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