Chapter 5


3.5 Direct food transfers

Direct food transfers mean a free distribution of food rations to the beneficiaries through a
particular distribution network. Various types of direct food transfers can be applied.
depending on the food deficiency problem to be addressed, the target group to be reached,
and the available infrastructure:

1) Free distribution of relief rations,
2) Special feeding programmes.

1) Free distribution of relief rations

In all cases where whole groups of people have lost their basis of subsistence, for example in
the wake of natural or man-made disasters, free distribution of food rations may be required
to bridge the period of destitution and maintain a minimal level of subsistence. Depending on
the situation, the infrastructure and the means available, rations to cover all or part of the
household food requirements may be distributed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Targeting is usually best achieved if daily rations are distributed. This, however, involves
high administrative costs and requires the beneficiaries to come to the distribution centre
every day. If at all feasible, this can only be done in cases where the target group lives close
to distribution centres, e.g. in refugee camps or urban areas.

Experiences show that relief food is most effectively distributed where it is channelled
through established community structures, and least effective, where it is provided in the
framework of massive institutionalized relief operations (GTZ 1993, op. cit.). Therefore
efforts should be made to keep the people in their community environment by providing
assistance there. This has the additional advantage that the beneficiaries can still apply their
various coping strategies of which reliance on relief food distribution is only one. If people
migrate to camps or distribution centres they lose alternative means of subsistence and
become completely dependent on relief assistance. This involves a high risk of food
insecurity, due to delays and irregular supplies.

The sale of relief aid by the beneficiaries is a common phenomenon, particularly if weekly or
monthly wholesale rations are distributed. There are various reasons why beneficiaries often
sell part of their relief rations: to satisfy urgent cash needs, to buy other necessary
commodities needed (e.g. salt, sugar, soap, clothing, etc.), to exchange the commodities
received for preferred local or cheaper types of food, to avoid bulky transport if people live
far away from the distribution centres, etc. For such reasons, the sale of part of relief rations
is not necessarily an indication of excessive relief supplies. Relief food assistance can also be
considered as a type of real income transfer, comparable to food subsidies or FFW wages.

In any case, massive food relief distribution schemes require close monitoring, in order to
ensure proper targeting and to prevent major market distorting effects resulting from large
scale informal monetisation. Such effects were, for example, reported in the Ogaden region of
Ethiopia in 1992/93 where, due to massive and excessive free relief food supplies, the price
of grain dropped to 20 ETB per quintal (Ethiopian Birr per 100 kg of grain), compared to 100


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