Catholic Relief Services; program review : PL-480 Title II

480, Title II program in Rwanda in two priority areas - school feeding and maternal/child health (MCH). Evaluation covers the period 9/79-4/82 and is based on site observations by the Assistant Food For Peace Officer in Nairobi. As planned, CRS has succeeded in increasing by 20% (i.e., 15,000) their coverage of pregnant and lactating mothers, pre-schoolers, and school age children. However, CRS/R estimates that they reach only about 5% of the most needy. Thirteen maternal clinics and 87 child centers (soon to be integrated) receive priority monthly shipments; other centers receive quarterly shipments. Good control is maintained over transportation, storage, and distribution of food supplies; a required monthly inventory report is received from the more than 400 distribution points. However, more frequent monitoring of the centers is needed; CRS is utilizing outreach funds to increase monitoring activities. The issue of control over participant fees should be studied and resolved. It is recommended that CRS provide an experienced country program director and a senior assistant program director, both full-time. If the country agreement is renegotiated, several points should be raised: (1) shifting from emergency justification; (2) emphasizing host government support; (3) arranging for confiscation of diverted commodities and for procedure to be followed in disposing of unfit commodities; and (4) assuring that recipients receive foods only for participation in projects approved by A.I.D. and its CRS.