Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department will monitor the forthcoming food voucher programme in Darfur to ensure it will be targeted at people in need and does not become a target of corruption.

The UK is a significant donor to the World Food Programme (WFP) voucher programme in Darfur. Over the last 12 months, Department for International Development (DFID) staff have visited voucher sites in all Darfur States where the programme is operating to monitor the programme. They met with WFP staff, partner agencies and beneficiaries. DFID is satisfied that the process of identifying and verifying programme beneficiaries based on biometric data, and conducted jointly by WFP and the International Organisation for Migration, ensures that the programme reaches intended beneficiaries. The planned roll out of electronic voucher cards with biometric data will further strengthen the process of ensuring beneficiaries receive what they are entitled to.

WFP conducts regular monitoring of a sample of beneficiaries immediately after vouchers have been distributed and again, approximately two weeks later, when they visit beneficiaries in their homes to assess how vouchers have been utilised. Monitoring is complemented by internal evaluations which allow WFP to assess the effectiveness of the programme in terms of value for money and the impact on food consumption and dietary diversity.

We will continue to closely monitor the programme through regular reports and field visits.