PL-480 TITLE II

Evaluation covers the period 4/77 to 4/78 and is based on a review of AID audit reports, local newspaper articles, and correspondence between USAID and CARE, which is managing the program. There were no substantial changes in the planned use of Title II commodities. A minor variance was the emergency donation of 2,200 lbs of non-fat dry milk powder in 10/78 to assist Nicaraguan refugees. It was reported in the press, however, that ten nutrition centers stole and resold milk and other commodities supplied by the Government of Costa Rica (GOCR). In addition, an earlier audit report (PD-AAH-202-A1) noted that foods were being redistributed to school children every other day, instead of daily as planned. CARE has not yet taken corrective action in this matter. Other activities have included the establishment of a soybean processing plant, partially financed by an AID grant to CARE. Soybeans for the plant, which is expected to start up in mid-May, will come from domestic production and, if need be, from imports purchased by GOCR. CARE should secure a formal commitment from the latter in this regard. Since the feeding program has not used CSM for three years, and since there will undoubtedly be complications during the plant"s early operations, CARE requested and received additional commodities for FY78. These include 1,535,000 lbs of CSM, 639,000 lbs of vegoil, and 223,000 lbs of FFSF. Authors recommend that CARE improve its inspection and follow-up of the school feeding program to implement supplemental nutritional PL-480 levels. Schools should be inspected more than once during the year, with alternating time lapses between inspections and without prior notification to the school or the Ministry of Education. The additional FY78 levels of CSM should be distributed by the time the soybean plant is operational in order to accustom children to the use of CSM. CARE should immediately identify a public institution to administer the new plant. In addition, CARE should see to it that the remaining PL-480 commodities are distributed correctly.