Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance Overview Strategic Objective Notifications Democracy and Governance Conflict Management and Mitigation Food for Peace Private and Voluntary Cooperation American Schools and Hospitals Abroad International Disaster Assistance Transition Initiatives P.L. 480 Food For Peace Summary Tables Abbreviations & Acronyms Last updated: Wednesday, 29-May-2002 18:53:10 EDT

THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: The Office of Food for Peace (FFP) manages the $1.2 billion P.L. 480 Title II food aid program (appropriated to USDA) that is implemented through U.S. private voluntary organizations (PVOs) and cooperative development organizations (CDOs) as well as through the United Nation's World Food Program (WFP). The planning, management and implementation of food aid programs are all complex undertakings. It is, therefore, necessary to increase the capacity of these cooperating sponsors (CSs) so that they can successfully accomplish these roles. Institutional strengthening assistance (ISA) grants have been instrumental in building the capacity of CS headquarters staff to design and manage food assistance activities.

THE USAID PROGRAM:

Substantial portions of Title II development food aid programs tap into CSs' capacity to implement effective agricultural, nutrition, and child survival activities, including HIV/AIDS. FFP also provides institutional strengthening assistance to Title II CSs to improve their capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate food aid programs that increase food security for vulnerable groups. A few examples of activities for which ISA grants have led to improvements include:

• Design of technically-sound food aid activities;
• Transfer of technical and management skills and expertise to country program staff; and
• Definition of impact indicators and establishment of impact monitoring and evaluation systems.

In FY 2002, it is planned to continue these types of activities. The FY 2003 funding request for ISA grants will continue at $6 million. FFP anticipates the continuation of the same types of initiatives previously funded with ISA grants.

OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: The proposed FY 2003 budget for the development and emergency food aid programs funded by P.L. 480 Title II is $1.185 billion. This represents a $335 million increase over the FY 2002 base appropriation of $850 million. The increased funding is needed to enhance Title II's ability to respond to worldwide emergency food aid requirements, as well as the loss of reimbursements from the Department of Transportation for the cost of U.S. flag cargo preference.

OTHER DONORS: Given the emergency of local capacity building as a theme for cooperation among Title II CS organizations, PVO working groups are identifying areas for collaboration and list of best practices. These efforts by the PVO community contribute positively to the ISA program.

Program Data Sheets

• 962-001  Critical food needs of targeted groups met
• 962-002  Increased effectiveness of FFP's partners in carrying out Title II development activities