Quarterly Results Report: Emergency Food Security Program - EFSP, Tanganyika Emergency Food Assistance (TEFA) Project

The project's primary objective was to improve food and income security for households, particularly those affected by insecurity and COVID-19. During the third quarter of FY20, the project faced significant security challenges, including incursions from armed groups, clashes between FARDC and Zambian military forces, and inter-ethnic tensions. These incidents resulted in the displacement of villagers and the destruction of property. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread, with 7,039 reported cases and a mortality rate of 2.4 percent in the DRC as of June 30, 2020. Despite these challenges, the project made significant progress in implementing its activities. A total of 8,135 households received cassava cuttings and sweet potato vines, while 2,000 women were formed into care groups and received training on vegetable garden establishment and maintenance. Additionally, 1,329 non-food item (NFI) kits were distributed, bringing the cumulative total to 1,399 kits. The project also continued to identify and prioritize productive assets, including agricultural feeder roads, bridges, and water points. Preparatory activities for the repair of the Nsambala Bridge in Moba were concluded, and beneficiaries were sensitized on COVID-19-related norms. The project's humanitarian context was characterized by a volatile security situation, with incidents of insecurity and theft reported in various areas. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a significant impact on the project area, with cases detected in several provinces, including Tanganyika. The project's physical access and communication were also constrained by the deterioration of certain roads and the poor condition of the Nsambala Bridge. In terms of implementation, the project focused on three key areas: food distribution, productive assets, and community mobilization. Food distributions were conducted in various areas, including Moba and Kalemie, while productive assets were identified and prioritized for repair. Community mobilization efforts were also undertaken, with a focus on sensitizing beneficiaries on COVID-19-related norms and promoting community-led initiatives. The project's monitoring and evaluation framework was designed to track progress against its objectives and identify areas for improvement. Key indicators included the number of households receiving food assistance, the number of women formed into care groups, and the number of NFI kits distributed. The project also conducted regular assessments to identify areas of need and prioritize interventions. Overall, the TEFA Project made significant progress in implementing its activities despite the challenging security and humanitarian context. The project's focus on food distribution, productive assets, and community mobilization helped to improve food and income security for vulnerable households, while its monitoring and evaluation framework ensured that progress was tracked and areas for improvement identified.