Review of the state of food and nutrition in Tanzania and its programming implications

This analysis of Tanzania"s food and nutrition situation focuses on these problems and on developing effective food aid programs. The study begins with an analysis of the food and nutrition situation, particularly of young children and in chronic food-deficit, drought-prone areas, to identify the magnitude and causality of undernutrition; food production and consumption in various areas are described to differentiate the causes and types of malnutrition problems by area. A review of food and nutrition policies and programs in Tanzania addresses government responses as well as those of Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF, and other donors. Two problems areas in current food aid use - limitations on the effectiveness of direct food aid distribution in addressing undernutrition, and the long delays and high costs experienced in the 1984/85 food emergency program - are discussed, and three strategies are suggested to enhance the effectiveness of interventions: coordinating donor and host government programs and strategies; mobilizing local initiative to address child undernutrition; and addressing food production and marketing in food deficit areas. Conclusions follow.