Introduction
When planning non-food item (NFI) distributions there is often a compromise between acting quickly with an initial response and undertaking a thorough assessment of who are the most vulnerable and what exactly is needed.
Hygiene items like soap, buckets, sanitary materials are essential materials which people need immediately to manage their daily lives and are crucial for preventing diseases outbreaks. (see Hygiene Kits for more information).
Key considerations
What are the needs of the population?
Consultation, before, during and after distributions with representative individuals and groups of women and men, girls and boys, including people from vulnerable groups is essential. Quick methods to use initially are focus group discussions, key informant interviews and observation walks – what is obviously lacking? The process needs to be transparent and people kept informed. Gaining consensus on priorities will reduce dissatisfaction but will take more time.
Cultural considerations
Local preferences for certain items are well known and easy to accommodate due to easy availability in the local marketplace (e.g. water containers to be carried on the hip in S Asia, or specific water containers for use in toilets). However in remote areas or if local markets are unable to supply in sufficient quantity or quality then other alternatives may have to be explained to the local community. However people are able to adapt to new designs and will accept items if fully explained.
How many villagers have ever seen an Oxfam bucket before we turn up in their neighbourhood?
Communities with conflicts
In communities affected by conflict there may be ‘unexpressed’ preferences (– usually expressed as a negative) which may appear illogical but worth acknowledging by checking out items in advance of full-scale purchase and distribution.
In eastern Chad refugees refused jerry cans manufactured in Sudan, as they claimed they would be poisoned. They also initially refused Jembes (local hoes) to clean up the camp as they thought they were being made to settle and undertake agricultural activities.
Sensitivity to uncover and then respond to such concerns needs to be part of the PHP team role, plus then to work with the local community to overcome their concerns in a way acceptable to all.
How many people?
In the initial stages following an emergency, reliable numbers may not be known. There may be constant movement into or on from the camp/area. Even after a registration there will be discrepancy between different INGOs’ and UN agencies’ estimated numbers. An additional specific Oxfam registration is a time consuming exercise but may be justified for an extensive NFI distribution. Make sure to disaggregate population information according to need e.g. under 5s for mosquito net distribution.
Initially for Items such as water containers and hygiene kits it is better to blanket distribute as most of the population will be in need. Family size will also need to be considered for some items.
Who are the target population?
Sometimes not everyone is to receive distribution. This could be e.g. because an IDP population is sheltered amongst a well-resourced host population, or one particular part of the population is particularly vulnerable. E.g. malaria nets are often specifically targeted at pregnant or lactating women and children under 5 in an initial distribution, as they are most at risk of serious complications. Targeting criteria should be based on adequate assessment and discussion with a cross section of the population and agreed criteria widely disseminated to minimise dissatisfaction among the population as a whole. Check that all vulnerable population are included. Specific vulnerable groups could include disabled, single father, single mother/ widow /female headed household, unaccompanied children/child headed household, elderly, long chronic illness,
If targeting through leaders do they truly represent the population?
During the Zambia drought response, a discrepancy in the registration was discovered during the actual distribution. When the criteria for selection were read out it became apparent that the village head had registered all his wives as female-headed households but did not do the same for other households. Due to the prevalence of polygamy in the area of intervention, there were many financially unassisted second, third and fourth wives who were not registered to receive anything.
Care needs to be taken that targeting does not undermine the dignity of those most vulnerable or actually increase their exposure to exploitation. In conflict situations the dynamics between rival factions must be well understood so as not to increase the security risk to vulnerable groups.
How will distribution be organised?
I.e. through leaders, heads of family, women or a particular target group? This choice may be influenced by an assessment of factors such as prevalent levels of corruption, representation of women, social bias and inequality and how much responsibility community members will accept.
Gender considerations
In situations of displacement as much as 80% of the population may be women and children.
Are women involved through their own chosen representatives, at all stages of a distribution? Directive action may be needed.
Is all information regarding distributions accessible by women? High levels of illiteracy amongst women may limit the effectiveness of written or even pictorial notices.
Could women and girls (and young boys) be exposed to sexual coercion because of distribution? How to minimise this?
Ongoing distributions?
Soap and other consumables need to be distributed at regular intervals. WFP (or their designated agency) may undertake future soap distributions along with food distributions in camp situations.
A system to distribute to new arrivals could be organised through camp coordination/ registration or established community networks. A repeat distribution may occasionally be needed following a large influx of people or after some additional disaster such as fire in camp.
If the local market is functioning consider the use of vouchers or even cash to allow people to source their own items.
Limiting problems
Every distribution will have its own problems. The risk increases with the size of population involved and the items being distributed. Thorough planning and organisation will minimise many problems. (See NFI How To guide)
Quality
When selecting items, quality rather than price should be the guiding principle. Distributing items that quickly break or wear down will result in a dissatisfied population and the need to repeat distribution.
Transparency and information dissemination are key – Do all people know full details about the distribution? There is a chance that information passed through leadership may be distorted. Setting up representative committees, holding regular community meetings and utilising a trained team of local representatives are all effective means of accessing the population. Extra effort may be needed to ensure marginalized population such as elderly and disabled are reached. Communication should be a two way process with opportunity for questions and/or complaints to be raised and followed up.
Coordination – Effective coordination with other NGOs and UN agencies will help to ensure that some groups are not receiving double distributions or some are missing out completely. It is also an opportunity to share information gathered on assessed needs and discussion around make up of hygiene kit. PHP and logistics team: obviously need to work closely together throughout the whole process.
Monitoring – Ongoing monitoring from initial logistics ordering through to post distribution will help identify and quickly rectify problems and ensure targeting is effective.