Audit of REDSO/ESA"s PL 480 Title II program in southern Sudan

480 Title II emergency food aid program in southern Sudan. The program is being implemented by four PVOs -- Catholic Relief Services (CRS), World Vision International (WVI), Norwegian People"s Aid (NPA), and Mercy Corps International (MCI). Audit report covers FYs 1993 and 1994. The substantial majority of food aid commodities are being delivered, though some problems hinder program effectiveness. Diversions of food have been unavoidable in a commodity distribution chain stretching over 850 miles inland to a country torn by civil war. In addition, food has been diverted to unintended beneficiaries such as market profiteers and the military. Nonetheless, by moving over 49,000 MTs of U.S.-donated food to distribution points in southern Sudan, the program has had a positive impact on the tragedy in that region. In general, NGOs are playing a unique role in working with USAID and local communities to facilitate the delivery of Title II commodities. However, MCI had to withdraw from the program when ACROSS, an indigenous NGO with which it had established a partner relationship, proved unable to deliver the commodities. NPA then agreed to receive and distribute 1,850 MTs of food from ACROSS, but the transfer had still not been made after 2 months. The Sudan Field Office (SFO) immediately responded to ensure that food was delivered to these areas. It has not been possible to confirm population estimates for Manglatore Displacement Camp, in part because NPA, which recently began food aid delivery to the camp after taking over from ACROSS, has not yet determined the population. The lack of a reasonable population estimate could result in excess food aid commodities being misdirected to the military or market profiteers. Inaccurate population estimates could be a problem at other distribution sites and with other NGOs as well. In April, 1995, NPA was forced to discontinue food aid deliveries to Bamurye and Manglatore due to the failure of USAID"s Food for Peace Office (BHR/FFP) to provide NPA with funding for internal transit, shipping, and handling (ITSH) costs. This placed 150,000 of the targeted 285,000 beneficiaries in danger of starvation. BHR/FFP has since provided adequate ITSH funds. SFO"s lack of a system to track food loss reports and claims made by NGOs as required by USAID regulations has made it impossible to ascertain food losses, claims in arrears for which are estimated to be at least $65,000. Additionally, three consignments of food aid totalling 429 MTs proved unfit for human consumption, yet have not been replaced. REDSO/ESA concurred with all findings, and acted upon all recommendations made in the report.