Managing Humanitarian Projects → Targeting and distribution of goods

Targeting and distribution of goods

All projects involving the distribution of relief items* should include an impartial, non-discriminatory, transparent mechanism for effectively targeting those who are at most risk and in greatest need.* (e.g. food, clothes, shelter materials, blankets, water containers, cooking items)

Identifying an appropriate targeting mechanism is part of the Project Design process and will draw on information gathered in Assessment of the needs, capacities, risks and vulnerabilities of the affected population.
Particular attention should be given to adopting mechanisms which build on existing capacities and support the restoration and development of existing services, e.g. education, markets and livelihood opportunities. (See Sphere Project Core Standard 4 ‘Design and Response’ for further guidance)

Targeting mechanisms for household or individual level
Mechanisms	Potential risks
Market-based targeting (e.g. cash based; local procurement; support to markets)	Enable programmes to make better use of existing market-system capabilities Can be indiscriminate and needs accurate analysis of existing market systems.
Self-targeting (direct programme to specific groups)	Need to understand behaviours of vulnerable groups Can exclude vulnerable groups or expose them to stigma or abuse i.e. women, sufferers of HIV/AIDS
Community based targeting (communities decide)	May lead to exclusion of those outside the system i.e. orphans, displaced individuals, or of non-dominant communities/clans.
Administrative targeting (based on data analysis)	Criteria and indicators may be inaccurate or irrelevant Criteria may undermine dignity or seen as intrusive. Costs of collecting the data can be high

Mechanisms for distributing food and non-food items (NFIs)

The most appropriate of these models can be selected depending on:

the situation, location and numbers involved
resources available to support distribution e.g. trained staff, storage
level of responsibility that affected communities / refugees can take
extent of existing organised groups or community structures

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Key points:

Ensure thorough analysis of vulnerability, risks and needs.
Ensure data is disaggregated by age, gender etc and relevance and validity of indicators for targeting goods .
Involve those affected including men, women, boys and girls, and representatives of vulnerable groups.
Ensure targeting mechanisms do not undermine dignity, increase vulnerability or risk exposure to exploitation or abuse.
Update targeting / distribution systems regularly to ensure effective on-going coverage.
Build on existing services and systems where possible.
Consider a registration process if goods are to be provided to specific beneficiary groups, in a known location, over a long period,
Exit strategies – give consideration to when and how you will handover or phase out the provision of goods.

Additional Resources

Counting and identifiction of beneficiary populations in emergency operations: registration and its alternatives. – Overseas Development Institute UK 1997 [full details]

Developing a Response Analysis Framework [full details]

Web page Food Security Analysis portal (no file) [full details]

UNHCR Handbook for Registration – UNHCR Switzerland 2003 [full details]

WFP Food security analysis

This page was last updated on 24 June 2011