ANNEX G: PUBLIC WORKS / FOOD FOR WORK PROGRAMS


 At present there is a very limited program of public works, including FFW programs,
 operational in Malawi. The Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) is operating a pilotpublic
 works program in Ntcheu, Mulanje and Machinmga EPAs within these districts were chosen on
 the basis of FEWS indicator of food-deficit EPAs. In two of the districts, Ntcheu and Mulanje,
 the wage is given part in cash and part in food coupons. In Machinga the wage is cash only.
 There is as yet no centrally collated information on the number of beneficiaries reached. The pilot
 project started in late 1995 and the main phase of implementation is expected to start in June
 1996.

 As well as providing the food component of the MASAF public works projects, WFP is
 operating a number of FFW projects as part of EMOP 5693, the 1995/96 drought relief program.
 A decision was made by government that free food distribution to able-bodied adults should be
 replaced by FFW to reduce dependency. FFW projects started in four districts in November 1995
 and by March 1996 were operating in 12 of the 24 districts in Malawi. ( All 24 districts in
 Malawi could propose FFW projects.) A total of 235,075 participants have been registered,
 115,905 men and 119,170 women. WFP is currently developing a proposal for a Quick Actionn
 Project with the aim of moving FFW as far as possible along the relief-development continuum./

 Both WFP and MASAF have dual objectives in developing the public works and FFW
 projects proposed and about to be implemented. The projects are aimed at increasing short-term
 food security among the households of participating workers, with particular mention of women
 (MASAF indeed describes its PWP as a safety net operation). The projects are also intended to
 provide economically productive assets, and hence assist long-term food security. In this context,
 three questions should be asked:

 (a) Under what circumstances are PWPs an appropriate approach to improving food security
 in Malawi?

 (b) How cost-effective are they?

 (c) Is food a useful supplement or substitute for cash income?

 (a) PWPs can be seen as contributing to the mosaic of income generating activities so essential
t o survival for the poorest households in Malawi. This particular form of resource transfer is
( often preferred by government and agencies because it is seen as a way of reducing dependence
and getting away from free hand-outs. The opportunity cost of labour involved in PWPs depends
n when the projects are implemented. MASAF intends to implement its projects between May
 and November, the off-peak season for agriculture, when there are few other employment
 opportunities. WFP has, up until now, implemented FFW as an emergency program and
 therefore has been operating in November through March, the peak agricultural season, but also
 the season with lowest household food stocks. However, participants are only required to spend