WFP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific - 2016 SPRs RBB 2016 SPRs by country | Page 415

Standard Project Report 2016
implemented in 2017. In addition, WFP initiated a project with a local food processing company to develop the local
production of high-energy biscuits. The substitution of internationally procured biscuits with locally procured ones is
planned in order to significantly reduce the lengthy procurement process, allowing faster intervention and provision
of assistance after a disaster. A food technologist is being identified in order to develop the recipe and initiate trials
for the existing production facilities. Finally, in 2016 WFP began identifying opportunities to support local
government to set up emergency grain reserves.
Annual Food Purchases for the Country (mt)
Commodity
Local
Beans
Regional/International
Total
3,379 - 3,379
- 2,502 2,502
329 - 329
23,521 - 23,521
Vegetable Oil - 1,599 1,599
Wheat Soya Blend - 3,371 3,371
Total 27,228 7,472 34,700
Percentage 78.5% 21.5%
High Energy Biscuits
Iodised Salt
Rice
Implementation of Evaluation Recommendations and Lessons
Learned
Following the 2014 comprehensive mid-term review of the PRRO, a number of recommended changes with
programmatic and budgetary implications were incorporated into a budget revision in November 2015, which took
effect in terms of activities in 2016.
1. Shift from food to cash where appropriate: Cash for relief was increasingly used as a transfer modality where
conditions allowed. The modality represented 71 percent of all cash distributed in 2016, compared to 60 percent in
2015, and was also more extensively used in asset creation activities with an increase from 35 percent in 2015 to
75 percent in 2016. Evaluation interviews showed that cash beneficiaries generally favoured the cash-based
transfer modality. The main benefit highlighted was a more diversified diet, with greater personal control for
beneficiaries over their food consumption. In addition, cash helped WFP achieve greater cost-efficiency and allowed
more timely distributions to beneficiaries. However, sudden outbreaks of conflict which subsequently affected food
prices and market access, underlined the importance of market monitoring, a reconsideration of ration sizes and the
need for WFP to maintain capacity to switch back to food distributions if needed.
2. Transitioning of resettled populations from relief assistance to early recovery: WFP developed a
vulnerability needs- and community-based transition strategy in 2016. The strategy envisioned early recovery which
a gradual shift from dependency on food assistance to increasing self-reliance for returned/resettled internally
displaced persons through a change in the transfer modality and the levels of food assistance received. This shift
was implemented from July to September. However, the volatile security situation and unpredictable outbreak of
conflict in the northern part of Rakhine challenged the transition from unconditional assistance in the area. In
addition, the limited availability of cooperating partners with expertise in livelihood programming and restricted
funding predominantly earmarked for relief, remained important factors restricting WFP in planning livelihood-based
activities. More rigorous and inclusive livelihood assessments would be necessary to inform future decisions about
the transition to other types of assistance, while intensified advocacy efforts with potential partners and greater
flexibility of donors would be required to enable interventions aiming at self-reliance among resettled populations.
3. Encourage use of specialised nutritious foods (SNFs) and expand to areas with high levels of stunting:
WFP has continued the implementation of its nutrition activities, including: i) treatment of moderate acute
Myanmar, Union of (MM)
12
Single Country PRRO - 200299