Seguridad Alimentaria para Venezolanos en Brasil-Extendida (SAV-EX) Quarterly Report April 2020 - June 2020

The program's goal is to reduce food insecurity through two modalities: distribution of electronic vouchers and distribution of hot meals. ADRA has been providing emergency aid to Venezuelan migrants in Roraima since September 2019, with funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The SAV-Ex project targets 17,060 Venezuelan beneficiaries in Boa Vista and six cities along the migratory corridor of Roraima, as well as 1,440 relocated individuals from Roraima to other states in Brazil. The project provides $25 electronic vouchers per family member every month for a period of six months, with a total of 18,342 beneficiaries benefiting from the food voucher modality during the third quarter of the project. Additionally, 261,542 hot meals were distributed during the update period, with 165 volunteers supporting the hot meal modality. ADRA provides nutritional pamphlets with important information for beneficiaries, including graphics to clarify written messages, and uses WhatsApp group interactions and video calls for reinforcement of messaging. The main nutritional messages, such as consuming more fruits and vegetables, are given special attention to the diets of pregnant and lactating women, as well as babies under 24 months. Data collected for the Food Consumption Score (FCS) at the baseline level indicated that the least consumed food groups included fruits, vegetables, and legumes, as well as nuts. However, based on this quarter's Post Distribution Monitoring results, providing information about which supermarkets accept SODEXO, which supermarkets have affordable pricing, and nutritional messages, ADRA has observed a shift in the types of foods beneficiaries consume. The information gathered shows that from a sample of 418 interviewees, 99% ate some of the basic foods, while 98.0% consumed some type of meat/fish, 95% ate or drank milk, and 90% ate fruit, indicating consumption of relatively balanced diets inclusive of both macro- and micronutrients. In addition to providing access to food, ADRA provides nutritional guidance to beneficiaries, including information about the Unified Health System (SUS) and the importance of consuming healthy foods. ADRA staff also provide knowledge of the program (SUS), what are the documents necessary to acquire the card of the single health system, guidance on the locations of health posts in the municipalities, and the medications available through the public health network of the state and city hall. This is especially important and relevant given that the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the state of Roraima. The SAV-Ex program has been extended until September 30, 2020, thanks to USAID's approval, and will continue to provide direct food assistance to food-insecure Venezuelans in Roraima. The program's goal is to reduce food insecurity and improve the nutritional status of beneficiaries, particularly pregnant and lactating women, as well as babies under 24 months.