Review of the CRS/Rwanda title II distribution program; January 14-23, 1980

480 Title II food distribution program implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Rwanda. Special evaluation covers the program since its inception in 1963 through 1/80 and is based on interviews with CRS/R and Government of Rwanda (GOR) officials and site visits by A.I.D."s Agricultural Assistance Officer (AAO) and his assistant. It was found that the CRS/R"s Title II projects play a significant role in meeting humanitarian and GOR and A.I.D. development objectives, especially in regard to A.I.D."s emphasis on pre-school feeding and nutrition education. The team recommends that this emphasis be continued, but that the GOR be encouraged to recognize the limits of Title II assistance. Concern was expressed that CRS/R"s policy in the pre-school nutrition project may foster a sense of dependence on foreign food and so run counter to the GOR"s policy emphasis on local foods. A professional examination, conducted with A.I.D., CRS, and GOR involvement, of the project"s economic and nutritionalimpact is recommended. The Growth Surveillance System seems to be working well. To promote a spirit of cooperation, the team recommends that CRS/R share information from the System"s Master Charts with the GOR"s Nutrition Bureau. The team also notes an alarming incidence of moderate to severe malnutrition among Rwandan children and recommends that CRS/R be encouraged to develop with the Nutrition Bureau a pilot nutrition therapy project. CRS/R has made noteworthy progress in dealing with shortcomings in commodity management and reporting, particularly by installing a more comprehensive inventory control system. CRS/R should be encouraged to continue to submit quarterly Commodity and Recipient Status Reports to the AAO; the latter should, after reviewing the reports, forward copies to Rwanda/Food for Peace (R/FFPO). Finally, R/FFPO should help CRS and the AAO determine the basis of ex tackle marine surveys by CRS/R independent surveyors and also recommend a procedure for the timely disposal of inland transportation claims.