Describe the General Food Distribution(GFD) as a method of distributing food aid

GFD is the main mechanism used to distribute food aid to a population during emergencies.
GFDs target households rather than individuals. General food distribution (GFD) is when a food
ration is given out to selected households affected by an emergency. The food ration will consist
of a number of items. The minimum three are cereal, pulses and oil, but items can be added, such
as salt, sugar, fresh vegetables, tinned meat or fish. The general ration is normally delivered as
dry items.
The main objectives of a GFD at the outset of an emergency are to save lives and to protect the
nutritional status of the population. As the situation improves, GFD objectives can broaden to
include the protection of livelihoods. GFD has frequently been implemented in response to acute
food insecurity.
Nutrition content of food rations
A well-balanced ration should provide a suitable combination of macronutrients and
micronutrients. Cereals make up the bulk of the food ration and provide most of the energy, a
large part of the protein and significant amounts of micronutrients. Pulses and oil seeds are an
important source of protein and provide a range of micronutrients. Blended foods are a processed
mixture of cereals and other ingredients and are fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Unfortunately, even a full ration is frequently lacking in some micronutrients.
Ration planning for GFD
There are two stages for calculating food aid requirements. The first stage is to establish the
energy requirements and the second stage is to select the quantity and type of food commodities.

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Stage 1: Calculate energy needs
The planning figure of 2100 kilocalories is multiplied by the population size to establish the
overall energy requirements for a population. The planning figure of 2100 kilocalories may be
adjusted for the following reasons;
? Age and structure of the population. Women and children require less energy than
men.
Nutrition and health status of the population. Malnourished children require extra food for
catch-up growth.
Physical activity levels- those with high physical activity require more energy
- Environmental temperature- For every 5 oC drop below 20oC, an additional 100
kcal/day/person should be provided.
- Access to alternative food sources
- Provision of milled or un-milled cereal. The volume of milled cereal is 20 per cent less
than whole cereal.

Stage 2: Selection of type and quantities of foods
-The following should be considered when selecting the commodities for the food ration.
- Nutritional and dietary considerations- Foods supplied in the ration must be
nutritionally complementary to the foods people obtain for themselves.
- Risk of micronutrient deficiency diseases (MDDs)
- Acceptability and familiarity of the food items
- Storage, quality control and specifications- All foods distributed must be fit for human
consumption and meet certain quality specifications.
- Food processing and preparation-Food commodities should be easy and quick to
prepare and cook.
- Availability and substitution of food items- Ration items that are unavailable can be
replaced by available food items to maintain the nutritional balance of the ration.
- Ration cost and resale value -The most cost-effective ration is based on a combination
of cereals, legumes and oil. The inclusion of high re-sale commodities in the GFD allows
beneficiaries to purchase other essential food and non-food items.

Factors to ensure successful GFD
1. Context awareness- It is important to be aware of the social and political divisions within
the area and whether GFDs may increase local tensions.
2. Management and coordination-All those involved in planning and implementing a GFD
must, as far as possible, be neutral, impartial and willing to be accountable and transparent.
Roles and responsibilities should be clarified at the onset to ensure effective coordination
among the key players.
3. Training and support for the implementation process. Sufficient support and capacity
building must be given to newly formed GFD committees.
4. Decentralized GFD system- When distributing food aid to dispersed and mobile populations
a decentralized system will help to increase the coverage rate and help to reduce the
exclusion rate.
5. Timing of the GFD- GFD implemented before mass migration, adoption of long-term
negative coping strategies and increased rates of severe malnutrition and mortality will be
more cost-effective than GFD implemented later. The potential impact of GFD on food
production should also be considered.
6. Women-There is a view that women are more likely to ensure that food aid resources are
consumed by household members. Targeting food assistance to women is a requirement of
the World Food Programme.
7. Cost to the recipients-When planning a GFD system it is important to consider the cost
(opportunity) to the recipient.
8. GFD mechanisms-A GFD programme may use a combination of existing structures and
newly established structures for implementation. Implementation includes registration of
recipients, developing ration cards or recipient lists, designing scoops of specific sizes to
apportion food, establishing distribution cycles, identifying distribution points and employing
an appropriate mix of staff.

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Titany answered the question on November 11, 2021 at 12:53