Handbook for Emergencies - Second Edition (UNHCR, 1999, 414 p.): 13. Commodity Distribution: Choosing a Commodity Distribution System

Handbook for Emergencies - Second Edition (UNHCR, 1999, 414 p.)

13. Commodity Distribution

		(introduction...)
		Overview
		When to start distribution
		Choosing a Commodity Distribution System
		Components of Distribution Systems
		The Role of Refugee Women
		Monitoring
		Key References

Choosing a Commodity Distribution System

3. Two basic issues are:

i. How much responsibility should be given to the refugees themselves; and,

ii. What resources are available to set up and run the system (including time, space, experienced staff as well as financial resources (see Table 1).

4. There are three broad categories of distribution system (see Table 1). Note that the head of family can either be a woman or a man.

Distribution systems can be classified according to who receives the commodities.

5. There will probably be a period in the early stages of an emergency when it will not be possible to register or issue ration cards. However, effective distribution of commodities is possible without ration cards.

Table 1 - Commodity Distribution Systems

Through Group Leadership		Through Groups of Heads of Family	Through Individual Heads of Family
System Description
Commodities are given in bulk to a representative of a large group of beneficiaries who further divides it among the group.		All of the commodities for the group of families are handed over to a representative of the group. The group usually con- sists of about 20 heads of family. The commodities are then im- mediately redistributed to the individual family heads by the representatives.	Commodities are handed over directly to each family head.
Types of situation in which these systems have been used
· Early days of an emergency. · Mass influx of refugees. · No formal registration. · Large populations.		· When the population is comparatively stable, and/or have ration cards. · Where the beneficiaries are living in camps. · Where the population is comparatively homogeneous.	· When the population is comparatively stable, and/or have ration cards. · Where the beneficiaries are living in camps, settlements or integrated within the local population.
		Amount of resources needed increases
	Degree of self regulation by refugees increases