Emergency Support to Vulnerable Households Affected by the Early Agropastoral Lean Season in Nara District, Mali

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT 72DFFP18GR00060

Sixth Quarterly Report October 1st, 2019 – November 30th, 2019

Submitted to: Office of Food for Peace, USAID Submission Date: 30 January, 2020

1. Key information

Implementing Agency: International Rescue Committee National Office: Badalabougou Est, Bamako, Mali Franck Vannetelle, IRC Mali Country Director Email: [email protected] Telephone: +223 71287791

Agency Headquarters: International Rescue Committee 122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168, USA Telephone: + 1 (212) 551-3015 Fax: + 1 (212) 551-3185 Erika Pearl, Program Officer Email: [email protected]

Project Title: Emergency Support to Vulnerable Households Affected by the Early Agropastoral Lean Season in Nara District, Mali Project Duration: August 1st, 2018 – November 30th, 2019 Program Goal: To contribute to the sustainable improvement of food security and nutritional status for vulnerable households in Nara district, Mali

Budget: $ 2,701,968

Total beneficiaries targeted: 4,936 households (34,552 individuals) Total beneficiaries reached in the reporting period: 4,936 households (34,552 individuals) Total beneficiaries reached cumulatively: 4,936 households (34,552 individuals)

IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060

I. Background

Security The security situation in Nara’s district remained volatile during the reporting period and has been marked by violence and tensions. The back-to-school season for the schoolyear 2019-2020 has started on October 1st, 2019 and has been impacted by the increase of insecurity with four of the 279 schools of the district closed by militants. These four schools are all located in Niamana commune and have been closed on October 21st. To date, no decision has been taken by the State representatives to receive the displaced pupils in the other schools, and under pressure from armed individuals, several teachers and administrations have left certain localities in the commune of Niamana. Moreover, the night of October 20th, 2019, armed men attacked the checkpoint of the national gendarmerie of Bale and the home of the sub-prefect, in a village located in the commune of Dogofry, located 200 km from the town of Nara, and which is not a commune targeted by this project. These security incidents did not directly impact the implementation of the IRC project.

Faced with the increase of insecurity in Nara district, the authorities have increased military patrols, including the communes where the present project is operating, but this has not had a direct effect on the implementation of the activities. In addition, two new military camps were set up by the authorities, one five kilometers from Mourdiah (Niamana commune) and the other at the Kwala crossroads (on the Nara-Kwala axis), at the end of October 2019. These new military camps will allow the securitization of the area, and especially of the construction site and the asphalting teams of the Kwala-Mourdiah-Nara road, work which began in October 2019.

Finally, the organization and celebration of a religious celebration for the commemoration of the birth and baptism of the Islamic prophet Mohammed at the beginning of November 2019 also led to an increase in military patrols in the communes of Dilly and Nioro to ensure the safety of the roads as many worshippers moved to the festival sites.

Agriculture The October-November 2019 period was marked by the harvest of cereals (millet, sorghum, groundnuts) in Nara’s district. The 2019-2020 agricultural season was considered very poor on average by 96% of farmers1. In fact, it is characterized by a 31% reduction in the agricultural area farmed this year (2019)2 compared to a year considered normal (2015), when the farmer farms the entire area of his field. The average quantity harvested is 1,000 kg this year, compared to 1,900 kg last year, a decrease of 47%3. Moreover, the average duration stock availability is falling years after years; at the end of 2015 it was of seven months, at the end of 2018-2019 agricultural season is was at three months, and currently, in the 2019-2020 agricultural year, it is at two months4. With the low harvest levels, food prices are likely to rise in the next months. Moreover, as a corollary, the analysis of the evolution of the level of income of the agricultural populations also highlights a constant degradation of the populations’ incomes in Nara’s district.

Livestock Poor rainfall has led to an overall decrease (-14%) in the size of the livestock herd of the Nara’s district herders over the 2019-2020 agricultural year5. This decline in livestock is also partly linked to the effects of the early pastoral hunger gap experienced by Nara’s district herders during the past agricultural season (2018-2019). The number of head of cattle, goats, sheep, horses and poultry has fallen between 7% and 38%6. According to the farmers, this significant drop is due to an unusual and early destocking

1 IRC, Rapport d’évaluation des besoins dans le cercle de Nara, novembre 2019. 2 IRC, Rapport d’évaluation des besoins dans le cercle de Nara, novembre 2019. 3 IRC, Rapport d’évaluation des besoins dans le cercle de Nara, novembre 2019. 4 IRC, Rapport d’évaluation des besoins dans le cercle de Nara, novembre 2019. 5 IRC, Rapport d’évaluation des besoins dans le cercle de Nara, novembre 2019. 6 IRC, Rapport d’évaluation des besoins dans le cercle de Nara, novembre 2019.

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060 of their livestock due to the early unavailability of pasture and water points. The decline in livestock numbers was more marked for horses (-30%) and donkeys (-38%)7, which both play a key role in the economy of Nara’s district households. Indeed, these animals are used for economic activities both during the agricultural season (ploughing) and during the lean season (transport and delivery of food and non-food products to the various weekly markets in the district).

II. Summary of activities

Cash Food Voucher transfer Planned number of transfer/vouchers for the reporting period 1 Value of Individual Transfer (USD) $73 Total amount approved (USD) for cash/vouchers for reporting period $360,328 Actual number of vouchers/cash distributed for reporting period 59,232 Actual number of vouchers/cash redeemed for reporting period 59,684 # of months of distribution 3 Average cost per participant $73 Cost per month $24.30 Frequency of transaction 1 Total actual cost USD for cash/vouchers for reporting period $343,929 Planned participants for the quarter (male) 3,345 Planned participants for the quarter (female) 1,591 Actual number of participants reached (male) 3,345 Actual number of participants reached (female) 1,591 Time from signed agreement to the first distribution to beneficiaries if N/A applicable to this reporting period

a) Identification of beneficiaries

The identification of the beneficiaries took place during the June-September 2018 quarter. Please see the previous reports submitted for more information.

b) Cash distribution

Fourth distribution of paper vouchers (4,736 beneficiary households) Similarly to the previous distribution, the fourth and last distribution of paper vouchers for three months benefitted to 4,736 beneficiary households. Each of them has received 40,000 XOF ($73) in the six communes targeted by the project (Nara, Dilly, Koronga, Niamana, Ouagadou and Fallou). The cash transfer has been divided in two rounds: the first one of 13,333 XOF ($24.30) representing one month of food assistance, and the second one of 26,667 XOF ($48.60) representing two months of food assistance. These distributions were carried out by the IRC team between October 1st and 7th and October 22nd and November 4th, 2019. With the two rounds of distribution, each beneficiary household has received 12 food vouchers for a total of 40,000 XOF ($73) to cover the food ration for three months and were composed of:  Three vouchers for cereals (corn, rice, etc.) which is approximately representing 20 kg of millet or 12 kg of rice for 18,000 XOF ($32.70)

7 IRC, Rapport d’évaluation des besoins dans le cercle de Nara, novembre 2019.

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060

 Three vouchers for animal proteins (meat or fish), representing 1.5 kg of meat or 1 kg of fish for 12,000 XOF ($22)  Three vouchers for cooking oil representing two liters for 6,000 XOF ($11)  Three vouchers for condiments representing 4,000 XOF ($7.30) In total, 56,832 food vouchers have been distributed to the 4,736 vulnerable beneficiary households for a total amount of 189,440,000 XOF ($345,728).

Fifth and sixth electronic vouchers distribution (200 beneficiary households) 200 beneficiary households in the communes of Nara and Ouagadou (159 and 41 beneficiary households respectively) each received a transfer of 40,000 points of electronic vouchers, representing 40,000 XOF ($73) and three months of food assistance. Similarly to the paper vouchers, this distribution was also been split in two rounds: a first round of 13,333 points (one month of food assistance) and a second round of 26,667 points (two months of food assistance). The value of the 40,000 points was divided according to the same ratios as the paper vouchers (18,000 FCFA for cereals, 12,000 FCFA for animal proteins, 6,000 FCFA for cooking oil and 4,000 FCFA for condiments).

The distributions were carried out by the IRC team in collaboration with the Local Service for Social Development and the Solidarity Economy (SLDSES) between October 14th and 17th and November 12th and 14th, 2019. The process of the vouchers exchange between the local traders and the beneficiary households was supervised by the IRC and SLDSES to ensure strict compliance and respect of the electronic voucher exchange procedures, control the quality of the products exchanged and the quantities distributed to each household, and guarantee the proper use of the dedicated electronic devices used for this activity (tablets, beneficiaries’ electronic cards, and MasterCard Aid terminals).

In total, 8,000,000 points of electronic money was exchanged on the local markets during the reporting period, representing 8,000,000 XOF ($14,600). It represents 2,400 food vouchers.

Receipt of the paper vouchers exchanged by the beneficiary households with the local traders The process of food vouchers distribution is as follow: IRC distributes the vouchers to beneficiaries, who then exchange them for food with local traders. Then, the IRC meets with the local traders (paper voucher receipt) to count the vouchers and pay the trader the agreed amount per voucher. The IRC has organized three rounds of paper voucher collection with the local traders in the IRC office in Nara. For each session, the meeting was focusing on the collection, the counting and the verification of the food vouchers received. In total, 56,492 paper vouchers were received and paid to the local traders for a total amount of 188,541,319 XOF ($342,802).

Table 1: Number of vouchers and total amount exchanged between the IRC and the local traders Number of vouchers Date Value in XOF Value in USD exchanged October 14th to 15th, 2019 18,255 60,958,492 110,833 November 12th to 14th, 2019 37,907 127,008,255 230,924 November 27th to 28th, 2019 330 574,572 1,045 Total 56,492 188,541,319 342,802

56,492 paper vouchers have been received by the IRC out of the 56,832 distributed which means that 340 vouchers have not been exchanged between the beneficiaries and the local traders or between the local traders and the IRC which is more doubtful. These vouchers represent a total amount of 898,634 XOF ($1,633.80). However, the IRC did not pay for the value of these vouchers, since the agreement is to pay the traders only if the vouchers are presented to the IRC during the voucher collection sessions. The vouchers may not have not been used or turned into the IRC for the following reasons: (1) Loss of the vouchers by the beneficiary households or the local traders; (2) Destruction of the vouchers by

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060 rodents or inappropriate conservation conditions (humidity, etc.): and (3) Beneficiaries did not inform the IRC of the loss or destruction of certain coupons to ensure their replacement.

All of the electronic vouchers have been distributed, exchanged and payment made to the local traders which is ensured by the MasterCard Aid system.

Furthermore, it is important to note that during the third round of vouchers reception, 192 paper vouchers distributed during the second and third rounds of distribution organized in February-March and May 2019 respectively were received and paid. These vouchers represent 619,908 XOF ($1,127).

For the fourth round of distribution of this reporting period (two for the paper vouchers and two for the electronic vouchers), 69 local traders including 17 women participated in the project in the six communes targeted.

c) Post-Distribution Monitoring Survey

For each distribution of paper vouchers, the IRC has conducted Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) surveys. Three PDM (one for each distribution of paper vouchers) has already been carried out and shared with FFP8. The PDM 3 results illustrates that 100% of the beneficiary households now have an acceptable food consumption score (FCS), while before the project started, 91% of the households interviewed were in a situation of food insecurity or at risk of food insecurity.

In order to better understand the effects of the project on the food and nutritional situation of both beneficiary and non-beneficiary households in Nara district between the beginning and the end of the project, the IRC team has conducted an endline survey from November 19th to November 26th 2019 in the six communes of intervention. The survey sampling was composed of 365 beneficiary households (who are the same households than the one surveyed during the baseline survey) and 329 non- beneficiary households in 95 of the 131 villages targeted by the project. Because it is important to understand the impact of the project and of the food assistance on the local economy and market and its impact throughout the district, the IRC has chosen to integrate non-beneficiary households to the households surveyed to measure their food security indicators and assess the effects of the project on all the populations.

The data for this survey was collected through the ODK Collect tool, after the assessment of questionnaires that were completed with information collected from the head of each household or, in case of absence, a member of the household who was able to provide all the information from the household. The main results are described below, and more information will be found with the final report ( to be submitted in February 2020).

The results of the endline survey show that 32% of the households surveyed (as in the baseline survey) are headed by women. Of these, 24% are single, widowed or divorced compared to 4% of male heads of household. Furthermore, it was observed that agriculture is still the main source of income for the households surveyed (78%). The other sources of income include livestock, handicrafts and work in small shops. In addition, it is also important to note that 90% of households working in agriculture have access to all land.

Food Consumption Score (FCS) The overall average FCS of beneficiary households receiving food assistance increased from 28 points to 70 points between the beginning of the project in August 2018 and the end of the project (November 2019): an improvement of 42 points. For the non-beneficiary households, their FCS also increased from 28 points to 64 points: an improvement of 36 points. The improvement in the FCS of households not

8 PDM reports submitted along with the ARR as annexes. Submitted on November 21 2019.

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060 benefiting from this project can be explained in part by the strengthening of the local economy and the re-dynamization of markets.

The percentage of beneficiary households that received food assistance and that have a borderline or a poor FCS (<42 points) also improved significantly between the baseline survey (91% of beneficiary households) and the endline survey (1%). The percentage of voucher beneficiary households with an acceptable FCS thus increased from 9% to 99%. However, this rate is less significant among non- beneficiary households (88% at the end of the project have an acceptable FCS). It is important to note that despite the re-dynamization of markets in the area and the strengthening of the local economy, 1% of non-beneficiary households remain food insecure and 11% are still at risk of food insecurity.

In terms of gender, 92% of female heads of beneficiary households had a poor or borderline FCS before the start of the project, compared to only 1% at the end of the project.

Reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) Before the beginning of the project, 90% of the beneficiary households surveyed reported using negative coping strategies to meet food needs. At the end of the project, an important decrease has also been observed with a rate at 44%.

Furthermore, the average strategy index, which varies according to the degree of severity of the strategies used in terms of their impact on the food and nutritional situation of the households and their livelihoods, and the frequency of use to negative coping strategies (selling economic assets, reducing the number of meals taken per day, etc.), fell from 20.7 points to 1.33 points which represents a decrease of 94%.

d) Complementary activities

Training of beneficiary households on MUAC measurement Trainings of beneficiary households on MUAC measurement to detect malnutrition at early stage and at home have been held in January, February and March 2019 after the identification and training of the 247 nutrition focal points. Further information may be found in the January – March 2019 quarterly report.

Training of nutrition focal points on referral of SAM/MAM children Identification and training of the 247 nutrition focal points in the communities on the referral of SAM and MAM children have been organized between January and March 2019. Further information may be found in the January – March 2019 quarterly report.

Screening and referral of SAM/MAM children During the reporting period (October – November 2019), the IRC Community Development Agents (CDA) organized two meetings to collect data on SAM and MAM cases with the 247 nutrition focal points and 17 nutrition officers present at the Community Health Centers (ComCH) level.

Within the 131 villages targeted by the project, 8,980 children (4,805 girls, 4,175 boys) under five-years old were screened at the household level by the beneficiary households in the six communes targeted by the project. Among the screened children, 72 were screened as suffering from MAM and 49 from SAM, and were referred to the ComCH; and among these children 60 were diagnosed and confirmed as suffering from MAM and 43 from SAM and were admitted for treatment. The admission rates were 83% for MAM and 88% for SAM.

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060

Table 2: Number of children between 6 and 59 months screened at community households, referred and admitted for MAM and SAM in the ComCH by month MAM children SAM children Children screened for Number of Number of Number of Number of Data per malnutrition at children children children children month community-level referred admitted referred admitted H F T H F T H F T H F T H F T October 1,705 1,701 3,406 20 25 45 16 20 36 11 18 29 9 16 25 November 2,470 3,104 5,574 12 15 27 12 12 24 7 13 20 6 12 18 Total 4,175 4,805 8,980 32 40 72 28 32 60 18 31 49 15 28 43

Training of Community Development Agents on a new approach on IYCF (Infant and Young Child Feeding) listening and counseling Within the framework of capacity building on the IYCF counseling approach for the IYCF groups in the communities, 18 IRC staff (including two CDA, one Officer and the Project Manager) including four women, received training from October 8th to October 11th, 2019 on counseling and accompanying mothers on breastfeeding, and on the EVISA methodology (Listen, Valorize, Inform, Suggest, with Authenticity). The modules developed during these four days of training focused on : 1) The benefits of breastfeeding; 2) Counseling 3) Breastfeeding: "how it works?"; 4) How to effectively support mothers; 5) Breastfeeding initiation and how to properly start; 6) Difficulties related to breastfeeding; and 7) Follow-up and monitoring of the IYCF groups in the communities benefiting from the IRC intervention.

For this training, counseling cards with pictures were used, as well as the sharing of breastfeeding experiences, and practical exercises in groups on individual counseling with mothers in need of support, in order to appropriate the EVISA communication methodology.

Training and follow-up of IYCF groups on the counseling approach for sensitizations From October 22nd to October 25th, 2019, the CDA and the IRC IYCF Officer evaluated the IYCF groups on good breastfeeding practices to avoid breast milk deficiency. IYCF group’ members were evaluated according to the IRC evaluation grid before and after the training on counseling approach for sensitizations. It should be noted that the results are satisfactory in the six villages where the IYCF groups are working.

The results of the data analysis of this evaluation reveal that on average, 40% of the IYCF groups’ members understood and memorized the key messages for good breastfeeding practices after the training. The key messages most understood and retained by IYCF groups’ members are: 1) the baby suckles within one hour after birth (83% of IYCF groups’ members retained this information); 2) the colostrum is rich and good for the baby (54%); and 3) exclusive breastfeeding is necessary up to six months (46%). However, the messages least memorized and understood by IYCF groups’ members are: (1) the importance of continuous breastfeeding of the child until the age of two years (33%); (2) the possibility of breastfeeding during pregnancy (29%); (3) the importance of skin-to-skin contact between the baby and the mother (17%); and most importantly, (4) breast milk covers all the baby's needs for the first six months, including water needs (17%).

14% of IYCF group members understood and retained the key messages about good practices to avoid breast milk deficiency. The messages best memorized and understood were: (1) frequent breastfeeding, 12 or more times in 24 hours, day and night (58%); (2) in the event of a separation between mother and child, the importance of provision of breast milk so that the child can continue to be fed with the maternal milk (35%); (3) the increasing milk production in accordance with the child's demands (law of supply and demand) (29%); and (4) the good breastfeeding positions (27%). The least memorized and understood messages include: (1) breastfeeding each time the child shows signs of

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060 awaking; (2) if the milk production is too high, it is important to not reduce the number of feedings but to stay 3-4 hours on the same breast; (3) techniques to make breastfeeding sessions effective; and (5) in case of a cracking on the breast, the position should be reviewed.

In total, 96% of the IYCF groups’ members were assessed individually in the six communes targeted by the project. 4% could not be assessed because they were absent from the villages for field work.

Training and follow-up of IYCF groups on the EVISA methodology From November 13th to November 20th, 2019, the six IYCF groups were evaluated on their use of the EVISA methodology in the six communes targeted by the project (one village per commune). The evaluation was carried out by two CDA and the IYCF officer.

To assess the members of the IYCF groups, 41 individual counselling sessions were observed. These counseling sessions concerned 41 women (30 beneficiary women and 11 non-beneficiary). Out of all the individual counseling sessions (41 counseling) conducted in the villages, the most recurrent problems faced by the women were: "milk insufficiency" (49%), " breast engorgement" (17%), and issues related to exclusive breastfeeding, early weaning, newly delivered women, etc. (34%).

Furthermore, the results of the data analysis of the follow-up of the six IYCF groups reveal that on average, 34% of the group members demonstrated at least three attitudes of listening and support during individual counselling. Of this 34%, 93% of IYCF group members demonstrated non-verbal listening during counseling, 32% used terms that valued mothers, and 29% shared information related to women's needs during individual counseling. On the other hand, only 2% of the IYCF groups’ members made suggestions, they gave direct guidance rather than advice. More information will be found with the final report.

Promotion of good nutritional and hygiene practices During the distribution of food vouchers (paper and electronic), the IRC team with the CDA carried out sensitizations on the promotion of good hygiene and food practices such as food diversification, handwashing techniques with soap, the measurement of brachial perimeter to detect malnutrition, and the referral of malnourished children to the ComCH. Sensitizations were held at the distribution sites in the six communes targeted by the project. All 4,936 beneficiary households including 1,591 women- headed households were sensitized on the above-mentioned themes. For each session, beneficiaries were divided into groups of 20 to 30 individuals per sessions. In total, during the reporting period, 165 sensitization sessions were organized.

e) Market analysis

Average monthly price of food products The table below shows the evaluation of the average monthly price of the most purchased food products (cereals, cowpea, cooking oil, salt, and meat and smoked fish) between October and November 2019 in Nara district, in the markets of the six communes of intervention: Nara, Niamana, Ouagadou, Fallou, Dilly and Koronga.

Table 3: Changes in food prices on the local markets of Nara district per month (in XOF) Millet Cowpea Cooking Smoked Rice (kg) Salt (kg) Meat (kg) (kg) (kg) oil (liter) fish (kg) Oct-19 172 391 440 769 174 2 083 2,619 Nov-19 163 390 386 792 176 2 125 2,604 Average 168 391 413 781 175 2 104 2,612 Change in price -5% 0% -12% 3% 2% 2% -1%

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060

Graphic 1: Changes in food prices on the local markets of Nara district depending the communes (in XOF)

4000 3500 3500 3125 3000 3000 3000 3000 2500 2500 2250 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000

F CFA/KG F 1500 1000 1000 800 800 800 750 600 500 0 0 Nara Niamana Ouagadou Fallou Dilly Koronga

Mil (kg) Riz (kg) Niébé (kg) Huile(Litre) Sel (kg) Viande (kg) Poisson fume (kg)

In terms of food availability, all markets show almost the same trends for rice, millet, salt, and meat, except for cowpea and smoked fish; however smoked fish is not available in Korongo and cowpeas are not available in Fallou. The average price of imported rice remained stable in the project intervention areas. However, for rice a non-significant difference of 50 XOF ($0.09) was observed between the commune of Nara (350 XOF/kg; $0.64/kg), and the communes of Niamana, Ouagadou, Koronga, Dilly, and Fallou (i.e. 400 XOF/kg; $0.73/kg). This slight difference can be explained by the cost of transport between Nara and the other communes. Indeed, the commune of Nara is the main supply point for this commodity, which is closer to the Office du Niger area (source of supply).

High availability of cereals such as millet, sorghum, and cowpea was also observed in the local markets between October and November 2019. This high availability caused a drop in the prices of millet (-5%) and cowpea (-12%) in Nara district. The high availability and the decrease in prices are largely related to the harvest season. The decrease in millet prices is more observed more in the communes of Niamana, Ouagadou and Fallou, and observed less in the communes of Nara, Dilly and Koronga. On the other hand, the drop in cowpea price is more marked in the communes of Nara and Ouagadou. The constant unavailability of cowpeas on the Fallou market is because traders in these localities rarely import cowpea, as this cereal in least demand by the population. Also, the population hardly grows this type of cereal because of the insect attacks to which it is subjected.

The average price per kilogram of smoked fish also fell slightly (-1%) in Nara district during the period. According to traders, the drop is essentially linked to the increased accessibility of roads (end of the winter season) leading to lower transport costs from supply points, as this commodity is imported from Bamako, Mopti and Mauritania. The price varies from 3,000 XOF ($5.45) in the communes of Nara, Ouagadou, and Dilly, to 3,500 XOF (($6.36) in the commune of Fallou. It is important to note that smoked fish is not available on the Koronga market because it is not part of the diet of the population in this area.

On the other hand, the average price per kilogram of meat increased by 2% between October and November 2019. The increase in the price of meat is believed to be mainly due to the increased demand for animal proteins during the harvest period, and the low availability of livestock in Nara district (lower livestock numbers as explained in the background section at the beginning of this report). The largest increases in prices were recorded in the communes of Koronga (2,500 XOF/kg; $5/kg) and Niamana (2,250 XOF/kg; $4.09/kg).

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060

In addition, the liter of cooking oil also increased by 3% during the period. This increase is explained by the upward variation of the currency of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, whose border towns (Boustaile, Mansour, Adel Bakour, etc.) are the cooking oil supply areas of the Nara district.

III. Challenges, success and lessons learnt

Challenges With the implementation of the MasterCard Aid pilot with the electronic distribution of food vouchers, several difficulties were encountered during the project and this reporting period. It was observed that a number of electronic cards were lost, stolen or the electronic chip were degraded. In the future, the IRC will seek to increase beneficiaries’ awareness on how to safely keep their electronic cards (in a safe place, away from humidity, etc.). In addition, the amount transferred to the beneficiaries for food does not often appear on the MasterCard platform due to a synchronization problem between the local traders’ tablets and the MasterCard Aid platform, which may have created misunderstandings. For future projects, the IRC will reinforce the coordination with MasterCard Aid to ensure that the data available to the local partners are accurate and actualized before and after each distribution to avoid misunderstandings.

It was noted that some households did not understand the variation in quantities of some food products (such as meat or fish), which is due to the variation in the prices of these food products on the market, which often created tensions with the local traders. In its future projects, the IRC will seek to increase the awareness of beneficiary households on this subject.

Moreover, the training of beneficiary households on the screening of malnutrition with the brachial perimeter measurement should not be carried out at the same time of receiving the food vouchers. When voucher distribution and malnutrition screening training are taking place at the same time beneficiaries are not fully present for either. It is key that beneficiaries fully understand how to use their vouchers as well as how to detect malnutrition in the household; and to ensure full participation and engagement of the beneficiaries the IRC has found that separating the activities is important.

Success The project confirmed that food assistance is an important source of food for the most vulnerable households in Nara district, especially during the agricultural and pastoral lean season; and that it enables vulnerable households to diversify their sources of income by investing part of their agricultural income in income-generating activities that will allow them to develop and increase their resilience to the various shocks to which they may be exposed (climatic hazards, displacements, etc.).

For the MasterCard Aid pilot, the training on the use of the electronic devices in local languages (Arabic, Bambara, Soninke) and the support provided by the IRC staff to the local traders and beneficiary households during market transactions greatly contributed to the acceptance of the electronic system by households receiving electronic vouchers. Once the difficulties encountered were overcome, it allowed for better monitoring of voucher exchanges and facilitated the reimbursement process for partner traders.

Lessons learnt For the MasterCard Aid pilot, one important lesson learnt is that the IRC staff should continue to assist beneficiary households in the markets to facilitate transactions with local traders as most beneficiary households cannot read and write and/or are not familiar with electronic equipment.

More specifically, the IRC should also explore the possibility of training its country teams to be able to design and configure the project and the beneficiary electronic cards on the MasterCard Aid platform in

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IRC Mali – Sixth Quarterly Report Cooperative agreement 72DFFP18GR00060 rather than be dependent upon IRC Headquarters IT colleagues; and MasterCard Aid should improve its availability to solve technical problems encountered by the teams (program configuration and card activation) to avoid excessive delays in the implementation of the project, as it was faced at the launch of this pilot. Finally, the IRC also needs to better anticipate the procurement process (purchase, tracking, receipt, and waiver) of materials with MasterCard Aid, in order to avoid increased delays in project implementation.

Organizing the voucher distribution at the same time as the local markets has also been an important lesson learnt to reinforce the security of the beneficiaries, as when they move in groups they are protected and are at less risk of being robbed.

340 vouchers have not been exchanged between the beneficiaries and the local traders or between the local traders and the IRC, as explained before for the following main reasons: the loss of the vouchers by the beneficiary households or the local traders; or the destruction of the vouchers by rodents or inappropriate conservation conditions (humidity, etc.); and beneficiaries did not inform the IRC of the loss or destruction of certain coupons to ensure their replacement. In the future, the IRC will increase the sensitization on the importance to keep the vouchers in a safe place as it the only thing that can grant access to food assistance, and on the possibility for the beneficiaries to replace the vouchers that might have been lost.

In the future, it will be important to implement the counseling approach and EVISA methodology throughout the project and so that real improvements can be observed in the practice of the IYCF groups.

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