evaluation of general food distribution in northern uganda: gulu ...

10 YEARS OF FOOD AID - IMPACTTen years since it was started, NRC‘s GFD has had considerable impact on the conflict -affected communities in the Acholi sub region, some more positive than others. Asmentioned in chapter 4.1., the GFD project has identified indicators to measure thequantitative impact of its activities. Weekly, monthly and quarterly monitoring as well as postdistribution monitoring is carried out. In as much as having acknowledged the effectivenessof the GFD project and concluded that it has contributed to keeping roughly half of the IDPpopulation alive in Northern Uganda, the GFD project has had other significant effects.10.1 Women’s Empowerment/Crisis of MasculinityThe methods employed during the distribution of food aid have not only given the IDPs somelevel of autonomy through their increased participation in the distribution process, it has alsocontributed to women’s empowerment. Half of the member of the food distribution committeemust be women and this has created leade rship opportunities for women in a society whereleadership positions were traditionally held by men. This has led to a positive change in theattitude of the people towards women embracing leadership 173 . According to some FMCmembers, the presence of the women on the committee has infused gender sensitivity andparticularly in the resolution of domestic conflicts arising from food. The partner with custodyof the children (mostly women) manages food issues. 174 The reverse side of the story hasbeen the increased workload for women. More than 60% of people who come to pick therations are women, as men have tended to keep away altogether.As the registered recipients of food aid – women have acquired greater decision-makingpower in the household over how and when food utilized 175 and have become the de factobreadwinners – a position that was prior to the conflict held by the men. “Men have nothingunlike in the past when they had food”. 176 Dealing with these changes and the frustrationsthat come with confinement in the camps has not been easy for the men, a good number ofwhom have resorted to alcohol triggering a cycle of social problems - domestic violence,alcoholism and family break ups 177 . See, also recommendations for household survey ofchanges in gender dynamics in Section 7.3.10.2 Skills Transfer/EmploymentTo facilitate the distribution of food commodities, NRC has recruited over 200 volunteers whohave been trained and equipped with a variety of skills inclu ding (leadership, management,mobilization etc). Moreover, others have been employed by the organization to manage thefood distribution programme. Community members serving on the FMCs have also beenequipped with basic management skills. In addition to creating employment, income andleadership opportunities for the individuals involved, the programme has created a pool ofdedicated and skilled personnel in the Acholi sub -region: a resource for future developmentsin the region. See recommendations on utilising this resource base in Section 6.6 and inSection 9.5.10.3 Dependency SyndromeIt is debatable to what extent food aid has created dependency among the IDP commu nitiesin northern Uganda. There are those who hold the view that food aid has created173Quarterly Report Jan – March 2008, FFL/FFE174FGD with FMCs in Amuru IDP camp175Quarterly Report Jan – March 2008, FFL/FFE176Male IDP, Amuru IDP camp177FGDs with IDPs in Pawidi and Amuru50