CARE Haiti outreach : final report -- PDC-0703-G-SS-6075-00

480 Title II Food for Peace (FFP) Program in Haiti. Despite many difficulties and delays, the majority stemming from Haiti's political upheavals, the project succeeded for the most part in reaching its goals. The beginning of the grant period corresponded to the destruction of the FFP program's logistic capacity as a result of the pillaging of all four of CARE/Haiti's food warehouses and the majority of its truck fleet. Although reconstruction thus became a major activity during the first year, beneficiary levels fell drastically as damage to schools and the continuing atmosphere of insecurity in the country made feeding sites inoperable and caused problems with food delivery. Nonetheless, with additional funding provided by the Government of Haiti, the program's logistic capacity was rebuilt. Beneficiary levels have risen to 335,100, and the program supports 1,200 institutions in 4 of Haiti's 9 departments. Security problems still exist in the Department of the Northwest, however. CARE has taken several steps to improve community-level management of the FFP program, perhaps the most important being enlarging the staff of inspectors by 60% and redefining their role. These personnel - who are the program's direct contact with beneficiaries - have been given increased responsibility for involving local institutions and communities in FFP management. In addition, their title has been changed from Inspector to Field Representative, and their skills have been upgraded through training. They have helped to form and have trained parent/teacher committees which assist in administering the school canteen in approximately half of the institutions involved in the program. In addition, CARE has developed a "mini-project" component. Mini-projects are short-term activities, designed and implemented by the canteen committee, that increase the security, quality, or sanitary conditions of school feeding sites, e.g., through latrine construction, fencing, or school gardens. CARE has been hesitant to launch new community activities, however, as funds are not always available when needed. This uncertainty has made it impossible for CARE to plan and budget in advance. Finally, CARE has disseminated information on the FFP program through seminars, a newsletter, and audiovisual media.