Evaluation of the African emergency food assistance program in Mali, 1984-1985

and other donors helped the Government of Mali (GOM) combat the 1984-85 drought, the worst on record in that food-deficit, drought-prone country. This evaluation, based on document review and interviews, provides findings and recommendations in key areas of the program, to which A.I.D. allocated 95 MT's of emergency food (worth $46 million). Poor timing reduced program impact and cost-effectiveness. A 6-month delay in the arrival of emergency food at port -- a problem compounded by lack of contingency planning -- led to shortfalls in the emergency food available in the period (March-June) before the rains and again early in the July-August rainy season. USAID/M devised an effective food distribution strategy, which consisted of: using the well-established mechanisms of the Mali Grain Marketing Board (OPAM) to distribute food supplies in urban areas (where they were augmented by monetization of Title II foodgrain); using indigenous private voluntary organizations and donor agencies to manage free distribution in rural areas; and promoting close donor cooperation with the GOM. This strategy overcame the serious deficiencies of prior programs and got emergency food supplies to some 2 million people. Distribution was well targeted, rations were appropriate and sufficient, and losses and misuse of food were small. However, an inadequate needs assessment led both the GOM and donors to seriously underestimate the need for emergency food in rural areas. Also, while donor coordination was strong at the national level (despite strained GOM and USAID/M resources), local-level planning largely ad hoc and uncoordinated. Even so, the program was decisive in averting massive rural famine and exodus. USAID/M also helped establish an effective system of cholera control and treatment and financed important studies to assess Mali's overall drought situation and its 1985-86 agricultural situation. The report includes general recommendations to relate emergency food programs in Mali more closely to national food strategies, as well as several detailed annexes.