Deadline: 02-Dec-2025

The World Food Programme (WFP) is enhancing food assistance in Sudan’s Gezira region by improving targeting, accountability, and community participation. The initiative ensures that vulnerable households receive fair and transparent support while building local capacity in data management and participatory decision-making.

WFP Food Assistance Initiative in Gezira, Sudan

Overview

The World Food Programme is strengthening its food assistance systems in Gezira, Sudan, focusing on fairness, transparency, and community engagement. The initiative aims to support vulnerable households during a complex humanitarian crisis by refining targeting processes and improving communication between communities and humanitarian actors.

Key goals:

• Ensure food and cash assistance reaches the most vulnerable

• Build trust through transparency and inclusive participation

• Enhance local capacity in data collection, management, and targeting

Why It Matters

Gezira faces heightened humanitarian challenges, including food insecurity and social vulnerability. Accurate targeting and strong community engagement:

• Reduce exclusion or inclusion errors in aid delivery

• Empower communities to participate in decisions affecting their wellbeing

• Improve accountability and trust in humanitarian operations

• Strengthen long-term resilience of local food assistance systems

How WFP Improves Targeting

1. Evidence-Based Data Collection:

   • Collect detailed vulnerability data from households

   • Identify those most in need of food and cash assistance

   • Maintain accurate and deduplicated beneficiary lists

2. Community Engagement:

   • Conduct awareness sessions explaining eligibility and assistance processes

   • Include community members in decision-making

   • Foster trust and transparency in selection of beneficiaries

3. Feedback and Grievance Mechanisms:

   • Operate hotlines and community feedback channels

   • Handle grievances according to established guidelines

   • Ensure timely, fair, and transparent responses

4. Capacity Building:

   • Train local actors in data management and targeting techniques

   • Develop sustainable systems for ongoing assistance delivery

   • Enable communities to actively participate in planning and monitoring

Who Benefits?

• Vulnerable households in Gezira affected by food insecurity

• Marginalized or hard-to-reach groups that may be overlooked in emergency aid

How the Initiative Works / Key Steps

1. Collect vulnerability data from households and communities

2. Apply evidence-based criteria to select beneficiaries fairly

3. Engage communities through meetings, awareness campaigns, and consultations

4. Implement food and cash assistance distributions

5. Activate feedback and grievance mechanisms for accountability

6. Train local actors to manage targeting and data systems independently

Common Challenges and Tips

• Challenge: Lack of community understanding of eligibility
  Tip: Conduct clear awareness campaigns and involve local leaders

• Challenge: Data inaccuracies or outdated beneficiary information
  Tip: Regularly verify and update beneficiary lists

• Challenge: Limited local capacity to manage programs
  Tip: Provide continuous training and technical support

FAQ

1. What is the main goal of the WFP initiative in Gezira?
To improve targeting, transparency, and accountability in food assistance delivery.

2. How does WFP ensure fair beneficiary selection?
Through evidence-based data collection and transparent decision-making processes.

3. How are communities involved?
Via participatory consultations, awareness sessions, and inclusion in planning and decision-making.

4. What mechanisms exist for feedback or complaints?
Hotlines and other communication channels allow beneficiaries to raise concerns or appeal decisions.

5. Who are the primary beneficiaries?
Vulnerable and marginalized households affected by food insecurity and humanitarian crises.

6. How does WFP strengthen local capacity?
By training community actors in data management, targeting, and program monitoring to ensure sustainable systems.

7. What outcomes are expected?
Fair, transparent, and accountable delivery of food and cash assistance; stronger community trust; and improved resilience of local aid systems.

Conclusion

The WFP Gezira initiative demonstrates a comprehensive approach to humanitarian aid, combining accurate targeting, community engagement, grievance mechanisms, and local capacity development. By prioritizing fairness, transparency, and inclusion, the programme ensures that food assistance reaches those who need it most while strengthening long-term resilience in the region.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.