Organizational Overview
Established in 1983, the
International Partnership for Human Development (IPHD) is an American
501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered with USAID that works to
deliver emergency and developmental resources to the world’s
struggling nations. Over the past 23 years, IPHD
has managed 54 food aid programs in 11 countries. In addition, IPHD has
supported non-food aid projects in 10 other countries.
IPHD
is currently managing an FY 2002 USDA Food for Progress program in CAR.
IPHD has an experienced expatriate country director in Bangui, and has
local staff including monitors, a finance officer, and a logistics
specialist. IPHD staff in Bangui is backed by IPHD/HQ staff with over
100 years of combined food aid experience, gained from such
organizations such as CRS, CARE, USAID and USDA. IPHD’s NGO
partner, Caritas, provides over 25 management and project staff.
Caritas runs health, HIV/AIDS, water, and agricultural projects in the
CAR.
Country profile and food situation
Congo is one of the most
urbanized
countries in Africa, of its 4 million inhabitants, 70% reside in
Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the 332-mile railway that connects
them. The republic of Congo has experienced political instability since
its independence in 1960. Over the last decade, Congo has faced a civil
strife leaving children and adults with acute malnutrition.
Further, leaving rural economies dependent on the government and
humanitarian aid for support and subsistence.
Food
production in the Republic of Congo is below national consumption
requirements. In fact, much of the countries annual food consumption is
imported. In 2001, International Partnership for Human Development
(IPHD) began implementing USDA food aid grant to schools in five
designated region of the Republic of Congo. Portions of the donated
commodities are monetized, i.e., sold to raise funds for agreed-upon
development activities that demonstrate high impact potential at the
community level.
The school feeding program provides
a monthly ration of 4.5kg to 140,000 school children in 274 schools.
Throughout the existence of the project, the grants have supported
small-scale community infrastructure projects such as school
rehabilitation and water cisterns. Further, malaria
prevention
programs and school supply aid have been initiated into the schools.
