Standard Project Report 2016
Protection and Accountability to Affected Populations
WFP reached its accountability target under the PRRO indicating that the majority of the beneficiaries( 94 percent) were informed of their entitlements and about the complaint mechanism. This achievement could be attributed to the country office ' s strong compliance efforts and support to field offices, and increased direct contact with communities and beneficiaries through the standard operating procedures( SOPs) developed by the compliance unit.
WFP’ s assistance was delivered and utilised in safe, accountable and dignified conditions. The majority of WFP participants( both men and women) reported that they did not experience a safety problem while travelling to / from programme sites. WFP put in place strong mitigation measures to enable a safe environment for WFP beneficiaries to travel. For example, the country office and field office access teams engaged in negotiations with the Government, non-state entities and community leaders to maintain an active field presence for humanitarian actors including protection agencies, and ensured safe distribution sites. The food distributions took place at only secured sites, which were located as close as possible to the beneficiaries.
In 2016, security continued to be the main constraint in reaching conflict-induced IDPs and refugees. In high-risk locations, WFP continued the practice of distributing unmarked bags without WFP ' s logo or donor markings in agreement with donors. WFP piloted a Safe Distribution Model in Kabul and Nangarhar provinces.
WFP continued to focus on mitigation of protection risks associated with socio-cultural barriers, such as intra-household protection concerns arising from prioritising entitlement transfers to women. Potential risks associated with cash transfers, especially for the cash transfer pilot, were also evaluated and mitigated through community consultation and sensitisation. WFP used all available means to distribute sensitisation messages on its operations, emphasising humanitarian impartiality and neutrality whilst also highlighting beneficiary entitlements and feedback mechanisms.
WFP deployed female project staff who would have a better understanding of the issues faced by women in the target communities. Female monitors followed up with female recipients and collected their feedback. Staff members in all WFP offices in Afghanistan are trained to be aware of potential gender and protection issues in the programming cycle, particularly while monitoring the project sites.
To ensure that the rights, safety and dignity of beneficiaries, particularly women, were fully considered, WFP has adopted innovative measures, such as provision of mobile phones to enable women confined to the house to speak with WFP monitors, or identification of a respected woman in the community who can collect information to share with WFP. In 2016, WFP handled 668 calls through the complaint and feedback hotline, from both men and women from across all provinces where WFP operates.
WFP continued to collaborate with UN Women to implement the Safe Market initiative for women business owners. WFP provided technical advice, reviewed the feasibility study and attended validation workshops to facilitate market linkages for female beneficiaries of asset creation and vocational skills training.
Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of( AF) 25 Single Country PRRO- 200447