Value for Money Assessment: The EC Food Facility Programme Using Food Aid to Stimulate Markets in Pastoral Areas

“Using Food Aid to Stimulate Local Markets” is a 20-month (pilot) programme financed by the European Commission Food Facility (ECCF), and implemented by a consortium of international and national NGOs. The objective of the programme is to stimulate market functions and food production benefiting local producers, traders and consumers in marginal pastoral areas. Whilst pastoral areas have received food relief for decades, no significant long term improvements have been observed. “Using Food Aid to Stimulate Local Markets” uses a system of vouchers and private traders to facilitate the distribution of food rations via 108 private stores contracted by ECFF to act as final delivery points. In addition, it seeks to increase the incomes of fish, meat and milk producers and traders, through the substitution of imported proteins, (pulses), with locally available
 fish, meats and milk.

The purpose of the study is to assess the extent to which the alternative approaches to food distribution, and the inclusion of locally-produced food used in the programme, demonstrate value for money compared with the traditional approach to general food distribution practiced in Kenya.