EVALUATION OF THE PL-480 TITLE II PROGRAM IN EL SALVADOR; 1978

EVALUATION WAS CONDUCTED BY PERSONNEL FROM USAID, GOVERNMENT OF EL SALVADOR, CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS), AND CARITAS. CARITAS IS THE INDIGENOUS COUNTERPART AGENCY OF CRS RESPONSIBLE FOR TITLE II FOOD DISTRIBUTION AT 624 CENTERS OPERATED BY VARIOUS COOPERATING AGENCIES. A 2-PHASE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED ON A RANDOM SAMPLE OF CENTERS. PHASE I INVOLVED INTERVIEWS AT 40 CENTERS OPERATED BY THE 5 REGIONAL DIOCESES AND OTHER AGENCIES; PHASE II INVOLVED 24 MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH) CENTERS FOR MATERNAL/CHILD HEALTH (MCH). GIVEN THE RESOURCES AT ITS DISPOSAL, CARITAS APPEARS TO BE DOING A COMMENDABLE JOB IN DISTRIBUTING SUPPLEMENTARY FOOD TO NEEDY PEOPLE IN EL SALVADOR. HOWEVER, IN TERMS OF ACHIEVING THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF AN MCH PROGRAM, FOR WHICH TITLE II COMMODIITIES ARE DONATED, CARITAS IS MUCH LESS EFFECTIVE. THE PHASE I SURVEY FOUND THAT (1) NUTRITION/HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ARE INADEQUATE OR COMPLETELY LACKING; (2) PERSONNEL ARE INADEQUATELY ORIENTED, TRAINED, AND SUPERVISED; (3) BASIC RECORDS ARE EITHER INADEQUATE OR NOT MAINTAINED AT ALL; AND (4) MANY CENTERS DO NOT COMPLY WITH NUTRITIONAL TARGETING REQUIREMENTS. THE PHASE II SURVEY FOUND THAT THE MOH IS DOING A GOOD JOB IN CARRYING OUT THE OBJECTIVES OF THE MCH PROGRAM, BUT IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS IN ASSURING THE TIMELY DELIVERY OF ADEQUATE QUANTITIES OF TITLE II COMMODITIES TO ITS DISTRIBUTION CENTERS AND IN PROVIDING ADEQUATE LOGISTIC SUPPORT, PERSONNEL TRAINING, AND SUPERVISION. IN A PROGRAM SUCH AS EL SALVADOR"S, WHERE THE RATION IS CONSUMED AT HOME, THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTROL INTRAFAMILY FOOD DISTRIBUTION. EVALUATORS SUGGEST 3 APPROACHES TO THIS PROBLEM: (1) INCREASE THE RATION SIZE; (2) SELECT FOODS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR CONSUMPTION BY SMALL CHILDREN OR PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN THAN BY THE REST OF THE FAMILY; AND (3) A STRONG EDUCATION PROGRAM AIMED AT THE ENTIRE FAMILY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIAL FEEDING OF SMALL CHILDREN, THE INCREASED NEEDS OF PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN, AND THE WAY IN WHICH COMMODITIES CAN BEST BE USED TO FULFILL THESE SPECIAL NEEDS.