PL-480 TITLE II FOOD FOR PEACE

Evaluation covers the period 10/78-9/80 and is based on site visits and a review of project files. The Title II program and the Nutrition Planning Project (NPP) (522012400) both form part of AID/W"s nutritional strategy for Honduras. Under NPP, the capabilities of the Government of Honduras (GOH) to implement nutrition programs have improved, which will also improve the management of Title II programs. In addition, funds from NPP were used to finance the 1979-80 Title II evaluation, and Title II commodities were provided to NPP participants. Between 9/78-12/80 a total of 251,040 individuals received food under specific programs implemented by CARE and the Catholic Relief Service. Unfortunately, Caritas"s Maternal Child Health Program is beset by financial problems, which have limited its outreach and hampered its management. Caritas"s desire for operational independence, coupled with GOH"s suspicion of Caritas, has impeded cooperation between the two. As a result, GOH"s annual subsidy to Caritas has been small and inadequate. This program illustrates the need for supervision at the regional and central levels; a well maintained distribution and reporting system; and close monitoring of beneficiary impact. Improvement in commodity distribution and sanitary conditions at regional levels have been agreed to. However, both CARE and Caritas need to improve planning, personnel utilization, distribution and reporting systems. AID/W should strongly support Caritas" efforts to have its GOH subsidy increased. AID/W action concerning the Caritas outreach proposal should be monitored and actions taken to expedite approval, and A.I.D. procedures governing the distribution of foods under Title II should be enforced. A computerized game-simulation program illustrating the food distribution process in Honduras was developed in 1980. A training plan for field use must now be developed. Discussions should be initiated with the Ministry of Health to facilitate program coordination and supervision.