CARE's Food Information System Project has predicted a potentially serious food gap in North Kordofan State since October 2000. Further monitoring through the post harvest crop assessment (December 2000), monthly market surveys, together with WFP and FAO food assessment mission confirmed a significant food gap compounded by drinking water shortages in the Kordofan region.
Market surveys and anecdotal evidence for CARE's field staff confirmed that families have little or no food stocks and that they have reduced the number of meals they eat a day from 3 to 2 and in some critical areas to 1. In addition, families started to trade their livestock (mainly goats) where the terms of trade for goats against grain have dropped by 75%. Provinces in North Kordofan (NK) State mainly Sodari, Bara and Um Rawaba provinces also report steadily rising levels of migration due to the lack of drinking water and the food shortages.
The NKFIS estimated that 584,041 people are highly vulnerable and 644,632 people as moderately vulnerable. CARE is currently collecting further information about the reports of mass migration to identify the most vulnerable communities.
In response to this escalating food insecurity, CARE is aiming to distribute 4, 000 MT of sorghum to a total of 376,288 people being identified as highly and moderately vulnerable and in need of food assistance.
The overall objective of CARE's free food distribution (FFD) relief project is to mitigate the incidence of migration, morbidity and mortality affecting 376,288 people in North Kordofan the provision of 4,000 MT of sorghum.
CARE will complete all food distribution procedures within a two months period, starting in May and finishing in June 2001.
CARE in collaboration with the GOS and the project beneficiaries will directly implement all stages of the FFD project. To guarantee adequate monitoring of food distribution and tracking of the project effect, CARE will assign one Programme Coordinator, one Programme Officer, one Project Manager and 37 short-term contract national staff.
The total cost of the emergency relief project, including preparation, monitoring and supervision (PMS), is estimated to be 74,315 Euros of which EU is requested to contribute 60,000 Euros and CARE will contribute 14,315 Euros.
