Ration rates and the ‘Food Basket’ (Relief Only)
General Food Distribution (GFD)
In-kind relief food assistance is provided in: General Food Distributions (GFD), which are intended to cover basic
nutritional needs for all targeted beneficiaries; and Supplementary Foods (SF) which is additional rations intended
for groups with higher nutritional needs, especially children under five years old, and women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding. These groups are targeted for supplementary feeding because, during these key periods in their
lives, they need a higher nutritional intake than the general population average. The elderly are also often included
in supplementary feeding because they are highly vulnerable to malnutrition and less able to cope for themselves
in emergencies.
Ration Rates and the ‘Food Basket’
The standard GFD ration is based on an average daily energy requirement of 2,100 kcal per person. This is a global
average, set by the World Health Organization and is normally used as an initial planning figure in emergency
situations unless good information is available about the actual nutritional needs of the target population (in terms
of their age and gender composition, activity levels, health status, environmental conditions, etc.) and their access
to other food sources apart from relief.
Standard full food basket for GFD in Ethiopia
15 kg cereals
0.45 kg vegetable oil per person per month
1.5 kg pulses
Plus 4.5 kg CSB per person targeted for supplementary feeding per month (calculated as 35% of beneficiaries)
The standard full ‘food-basket’ for Ethiopia is shown above. These amounts are set on the expectation
that the population in need of assistance will be dependent on relief assistance. If resources are sufficient, it is
recommended that the full basket is provided for all members of targeted households –this ensures an adequate
nutritional intake, and in many situations will provide some degree of livelihood protection. Having a single
standardized ration also aids transparency and accountability because it is easier to ensure that the community
and beneficiaries understand the amounts allocated and can therefore challenge the authorities if the amounts
they receive do not match. However, in reality it is sometimes the case that the commodities for the full basket
are not available, or resources are insufficient to provide a full ration to everyone who has been registered for
relief. In this case, decision-makers have two basic options: to cut the number of beneficiaries; or, to cut the ration
per person. In making this judgement it is important to consider the beneficiaries’ access to other food sources
and the estimated size of actual household food deficits.