Deadline: 02-Dec-2025

The World Food Programme (WFP) is enhancing food assistance in Sudan’s Gezira region by introducing a strengthened registration and targeting system. The initiative prioritizes vulnerable households, ensures accountability and fairness, and uses digital tools combined with community engagement to deliver food and cash assistance effectively.

WFP Strengthened Registration and Targeting in Gezira, Sudan

Overview

The World Food Programme is expanding humanitarian operations in Gezira through a digital and community-led registration system. This initiative aims to:

• Ensure food and cash assistance reaches the most vulnerable households

• Improve accuracy, transparency, and fairness in distributions

• Strengthen trust and participation among communities

The program adapts to the ongoing conflict environment by combining household-level targeting with vulnerability-based selection methods.

Key Components of the Initiative

Household Registration and Digital Tools

• Digital Household Registration: Accurate records of households are maintained to prevent duplication and ensure inclusivity.

• Biometric Verification: Selected partners conduct biometric registration, including verification of household members.

• Financial Access Support: Assistance in opening bank accounts for beneficiaries where necessary.

• Structured Distribution Management: Enables efficient and consistent delivery of assistance.

Community Engagement

• Local leaders and community members are informed about the purpose and benefits of registration.

• Inclusive participation ensures that persons with disabilities, female-headed households, nomadic communities, and households with overlapping vulnerabilities are represented.

• Sensitization sessions promote transparency and community trust in the selection process.

Targeting and Vulnerability Assessment

• Detailed vulnerability data is collected to prioritize households most in need.

• Evidence-based selection ensures fairness in both food and cash distributions.

• Clean, deduplicated beneficiary lists guide planning and reduce errors in assistance delivery.

Feedback and Grievance Mechanisms

• Community feedback channels and hotlines allow beneficiaries to raise concerns or appeal decisions.

• Grievances are addressed transparently, ensuring accountability and responsiveness.

Capacity Building and Future Planning

• Training local partners in data management strengthens long-term capacity.

• Documentation of community consultations and registration processes informs future humanitarian programming.

• The initiative lays the foundation for sustainable and scalable food assistance in the region.

Who Benefits?

• Vulnerable households in Gezira facing food insecurity

• Marginalized or hard-to-reach groups, including persons with disabilities, female-headed households, and nomadic populations

How the System Works / Steps

1. Registration: Households are digitally registered and verified through biometric or documentation processes.

2. Data Collection: Detailed vulnerability assessments are conducted at the household level.

3. Community Engagement: Leaders and members participate in planning and awareness sessions.

4. Selection of Beneficiaries: Fair and evidence-based targeting ensures those most in need are prioritized.

5. Distribution: Food and cash assistance is delivered using structured, monitored processes.

6. Feedback Handling: Concerns or grievances are collected and resolved through transparent channels.

7. Monitoring & Evaluation: All activities are documented for continuous improvement and future programming.

Tips for Effective Implementation

• Engage local leaders early to build trust and ensure inclusive participation.

• Maintain clean, deduplicated records to prevent errors in beneficiary selection.

• Combine digital tools with human oversight for accuracy and fairness.

• Ensure robust feedback and grievance systems to uphold accountability.

FAQ

1. What is the purpose of WFP’s initiative in Gezira?
To strengthen food assistance systems through improved targeting, transparency, and community engagement.

2. Who is prioritized for support?
Vulnerable households, including persons with disabilities, female-headed households, and nomadic populations.

3. How does WFP ensure accurate targeting?
Through digital household registration, vulnerability assessments, and structured distribution planning.

4. What role do communities play?
Communities are involved in planning, awareness, consultations, and monitoring to ensure transparency and inclusion.

5. How are grievances handled?
Through hotlines and feedback mechanisms, ensuring timely and fair responses.

6. Does the initiative support long-term capacity building?
Yes, by training local actors in data management and documenting processes for future programming.

7. What types of assistance are delivered?
Both food and cash assistance are provided based on household-level vulnerability assessments.

Conclusion

The WFP Gezira initiative combines digital innovation with community-led processes to ensure fair, accountable, and effective food assistance. By focusing on vulnerability-based targeting, inclusive participation, and robust feedback mechanisms, the program strengthens trust, improves service delivery, and lays the groundwork for sustainable humanitarian support in the region.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.