Income-Generating Activities - Action Against Hunger

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Distribution of kits for IGA requires a large logistical capacity. The definition of
the components that are to be distributed is complex, as each activity may require various
different types and quantities of inputs and the use of standard kits may not be
suitable for certain activities. In this type of distribution, the necessary materials and
inputs must be included as well as the productive assets so that the IGA can be put into
place, if not the lack of certain inputs may be a significant impediment to the recommencement
of the activity.
When these goods are available in the local market, some of the risks of direct
distribution of kits, such as distortion of local markets, operational overload and excessive
standardisation of the activities, can be avoided through the distribution of
vouchers. After arriving at agreements with local businesspeople, the vouchers are
distributed and can be cashed in for goods and materials from the stores selected by
ACF.
In cases where goods and materials are available in the zone the possibility of distributing
money directly can also be considered, so that the population directly buys
the goods themselves. The transfer can be carried out in various stages so that a monitoring
system can be set up to assure that the money is being used properly and to
reduce the possibilities that the money is detoured.
Example 16: Distribution of cash to promote IGA in Guinea Conakry
From 1990 onwards, Guinea Conakry received a total of 150,000 refugees from
the neighbouring countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast suffering
from armed conflicts. Despite the improved political situation and the return of
many refugees to their places of origin, Kissidougou still houses large numbers of
neighbouring populations. ACF has intervened in refugee camps and with the local
population through water and sanitation, nutrition and food security programmes.
Between April 2004 and March 2005, 380 families of Guinea, Sierra Leone and
Liberia were beneficiaries of an IGA promotion programme. 74 groups were created
(95% of them were women’s groups) that were dedicated to 9 types of IGA, amongst
which small stores and basic processing were the most numerous. The programme
gave initial capital to each group, between 89 and 112 dollars depending on the
IGA. Training sessions as well as technical assistance were offered to support the
management of funds and the activity.
ii. Creation of shops to sell inputs
When a problem exists in terms of local availability of certain goods that are necessary
for IGA, one possibility to consider is the creation of a shop in order to improve
the availability of goods in a sustainable manner.
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INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES: A KEY CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURTIY