PL-480 Title II Program

480 Title II food distribution program in Bolivia. Evaluation covers the period 4/79-12/80 and is based on document review, site visits, and discussions with host country officials. Increased Bolivian Government financial support and improved donor outreach enabled Catholic Relief Services (CRS -- the chief sponsor), CARE, and Government-to-Government to distribute a total of 28,413 metric tons of food to 442,000 people during FY80. Unfortunately, however, the program was poorly managed and failed to achieve its goal of stimulating economic development. The Maternal Child Care (MCH) program, operating through mothers" clubs, directed rations to target groups and many sponsored development activities. Nonetheless, the clubs ought to be self-sufficient and spearhead local, rural development; offer instruction on using Title II foods; and should not receive rations until active for 3 months. All enrolled children should be immunized by FY83. The Primary School Feeding (PSF) program reduced school absenteeism and improved child health, but made no effort to promote community food self-sufficiency. Improvements could be made by operating school programs as part of community development efforts; stressing lunch over breakfast programs; requiring school gardens; training parents and teachers in food preparation; and seeking intermediate sponsors. The Food for Work (FFW) program is a negelected development spur and should supplant the PSF program as the program"s second priority; be given a greater share of Title II rations; aim at augmenting agricultural production; and seek added technical assistance. The Educational Development program, a subset of the above, offers a variety of classes (e.g., literacy training) and has great potential. Other feeding programs for children (preschool and adolescent) and adults (the aged and sick) were reduced to improve management, but still lack adequate technical assistance. Consolidation and increased supervision would help. To achieve administrative order with their local contacts, PVO implementors--especially CRS--should upgrade staffing patterns, accounting systems, programming procedures, and logistical suppport.