WFP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific - 2016 SPRs RBB 2016 SPRs by country | Page 10

Standard Project Report 2016
Country Resources and Results
Resources for Results
The extensive increase in global humanitarian needs caused by outbreaks of various humanitarian crises in many
parts of the world impacted the funding level of operations in 2016, which remained at unexpectedly low levels
compared with the trends from previous years. This was especially true for the PRRO, which received less than half
of the approved budget requirements for the year.
The launch of the EMOP, which had relatively better funding, had a somewhat adverse effect on the funding
situation of the PRRO. Despite a substantial increase in the number of people requiring WFP assistance, the total
funding available for Afghanistan remained limited. As a result, WFP prioritised nutrition activities, reduced ration
sizes and further targeted the most vulnerable beneficiaries (this included up to 50 percent reduction in natural
disaster and conflict-affected beneficiaries for two months, and a suspension in non-lifesaving activities, such as
vocational skills training). These mitigation measures were for a limited period of time so as to better manage
available resources, but such sporadic interruptions in WFP's interventions threaten to reduce the overall positive
effect in Afghanistan.
Given the poor resourcing situation, WFP Afghanistan undertook a series of cost reduction actions: mer ging the
country and Kabul area offices into a single compound, relocating the Kandahar and Mazar area offices in the
warehouse compounds; and reducing fuel usage. As a result, the fixed costs for offices, warehouses and staff
accommodations were reduced while fuel usage for vehicles and generators also decreased. In addition, thanks to
appropriate office asset management practices, WFP was able to reuse office assets for the newly launched EMOP.
Human resources were managed through a structure and staffing review that was conducted in the middle of the
year. The review resulted in a reduction in the overall number of staff from nearly 500 to 440 at the end of the year.
Apart from a significant reduction in international staff positions, the greatest reduction in staff was in the area of
logistics as a result of the decrease in cargo handling. At the same time, the number of drivers and support staff
was reduced in Kabul as a result of consolidating the office and international staff residences into one location.
During the year, WFP explored possibilities to attract contributions from new potential donors. At the same time, the
country office actively tried to assist donor organizations in humanitarian policy development at the country level. In
addition, the country office continued consultation with various international organizations that could become
partners in the future. These discussions aimed to create synergies among assisting agencies such as establishing
a common database and sharing knowledge and new technologies for more coordinated assistance. These efforts
are expected to lead to a positive funding trend in 2017.
Both current and newly acquired multi-year contributions greatly supported the operation during this period of
funding shortage. The assurance of continuous funding through multi-year contributions helped WFP improve
programme planning and provide timely food assistance. The need for longer term assistance is expected to grow in
the coming years as the importance of the humanitarian development nexus is increasingly emphasized.
During the reporting period, budget revisions were approved for PRRO 200447, Special Operation 200635 and
Special Operation 200870. For the PRRO and Special Operation 200870, the projects were extended in time, and
budgets were increased. For Special Operation 200635, the timeline was extended only a few months while the
budget was decreased.
Achievements at Country Level
WFP Afghanistan reached 3.5 million food-insecure and undernourished people in 2016, which was 96 percent of
the plan as a result of operational and funding constraints.
The use of cash-based transfers (CBT) was expanded with the total transfer amount being 2.5 times larger than in
2015, which still represents a small share of the PRRO portfolio. WFP increased the number of service providers
from one to four in order to cover different parts of the country and used different delivery mechanisms such as
cash, electronic voucher and pre-paid cards. The joint CBT feasibility assessment was done in close collaboration
with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's fund
(UNICEF) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The improved coverage, system and
knowledge will be a great asset to future CBT expansion in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of (AF)
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Single Country PRRO - 200447