PL-480 Title II food distribution

480 Title II aid. PES covers the period 7/81-6/83 and is based on an attached special evaluation (XD-AAN-852-A). The malnutrition problem in Kinshasa is very great indeed, and current efforts to improve the situation are inadequate to have any meaningful impact. Two zones in the southeastern sector of Kinshasa, Kimbanseke and Masina, contain about 20% of the city"s population and perhaps 30% of its malnourished children. A Co-Ordinating Committee that is receiving technical help from the Belgian Government is currently at work in the two zones. It is the strong feeling of the Committee and health center workers that only locally-produced foods should be used in the nutrition programs - including both on-site feeding and take-home. There is no question that A.I.D. should cooperate fully with the Committee in its impressive work. Intensive, on-site feeding programs have proven most effective in rehabilitating malnourished children, but other key questions remain unanswered. Appropriate record keeping at selected nutrition centers would enable future programs to be based on sound knowledge. It is also recommended that efforts be directed to the poorest areas, such as Kimbanseke and Masina, and that interventions target children aged 0-4 (the most affected group) and those who are currently acutely malnourished.