Influence of Cash and Voucher Modality on Food Security: a Case of World Food Program Somalia

Abstract

The Strategic plan 2008–2011 expanded the role of WFP from food aid to food assistance, introducing a more varied toolbox of responses, including cash and vouchers. This expansion in the available resource transfer modalities is intended to ensure that responses can be closely tailored to both the needs and the context of the people that WFP supports. Skeptics however, fear that cash and voucher approaches are often impractical due to additional risks of insecurity and corruption, and the fact that targeting cash may be more difficult than food commodities. Even where they are feasible, there are concerns that it might be misused by recipients, have negative effects on local economies and potentially fuel conflicts. The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of cash and voucher modality on food security a case of world food program Somalia. The study adopted a descriptive research design and used a target population of 178 community administrators and management employees of World Food Program in Somalia and Cooperating Partners (CP) implementing the cash and voucher in Mogadishu. Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was used to select the sample. From each stratum the study used simple random sampling to select 122 respondents. Data was collected using both open and closed ended questionnaires. The quantitative data in this research was analyzed by descriptive statistics using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 2.1, a multivariate regression model was applied to determine the relative importance of each of the five variables with respect to food security. Content analysis was used in processing of qualitative data collected and results presented in prose form. Quantitative data was presented in tables. The study found that resources adequacy, targeting efficiency, communication strategy, delivery and implementation and implementation medium on influence the cash and voucher modality on cash and voucher modality on food security in Somalia to a great extent. The study therefore, concludes that resources adequacy, targeting efficiency, communication strategy, delivery and implementation and implementation medium influence the cash and voucher modality on food security to a great extent. The study recommends that on targeting efficiency aspects; the WFP should endeavor to take into cognizance and put in place set criteria – eligibility criteria, recruiting competent staff and number of coordination meetings among agencies. The study also recommends that WFP and other agencies should adopt complaint management, internal quality control mechanisms and number of audits (processes, fiduciary) for successful cash and voucher modality on food security in World Food Program Somalia.