Negotiating and programming food aid: a review of success : PL 480 pilot case studies : Tunisia Title I and Mali Title II, section 206

480 country food aid programs were prepared. The first two studies, here presented in a single volume, were of the Tunisia Title I program and the Mali Title II, Section 206 program and were pilot efforts to test the evaluation approach. The three later studies (see PN-AAW-192/194) examine the Titles I and III program in Haiti and the Title I programs in Pakistan and Zambia. Comparison of the Tunisia and Mali programs teaches the following lessons. (1) In both cases, SHM's were initially sharply focused, and were later amplified or varied to include related issues. (2) While both programs used a multi-year strategy, this strategy was formalized in Mali, consonant with a similar commitment by a multi-donor group (thus increasing U.S. leverage), whereas in Tunisia the U.S. committed itself on a yearly basis. (3) The terms of assistance were clear and stable over time in both cases. They also depended on the results of annual evaluations, thus reinforcing host government performance of SHM's. (4) In Tunisia, the U.S. was the only donor to focus on a fertilizer-fueled development strategy. In Mali, the U.S. became the last donor to support cereals market liberalization, thereby benefiting from the earlier efforts of the other donors. (5) The Tunisian program has been closely coordinated with projectized support. In Mali, however, some of the effects of the cereals restructuring may run counter to the objectives of some A.I.D. projects. (7) In Mali, local currency proceeds from all donors are mainly used to meet the deficits of the cereals marketing parastatal and thereby encourage host government support for higher cereals prices. In Tunisia, they support SHM's, especially in agriculture. Both approaches seem to be effective. (8) Both programs supported private enterprise growth; both benefited from good technical analysis prior to commitment of funds and from good personal and professional relations; and both demonstrated a sensitivity to host governments' real political and economic constraints which increased their policy impact and allowed for mid-course corrections.