3.6 In consultation with the relevant government authorities, operational partners and experts, as appropriate, UNHCR and WFP will jointly assess the overall food aid and related relief requirements. Both agencies will agree on the modalities of food assistance, composition of the food basket, ration size, duration of assistance, as well as on directly related non-food inputs which may have an impact on the nutritional status of the beneficiaries. Special consideration will be given to the needs of women, children and vulnerable groups. The views of the beneficiaries, especially those of women, will be sought. The proposed food assistance programme will take into account all relevant factors, including the socio-economic and nutritional status of beneficiaries, cultural practices, overall food availability, prospects for self-reliance, availability of cooking fuels, and the need to minimize the environmental impact of using the cooking fuels selected.
3.7 UNHCR is responsible for determining the nutritional status of refugees and for the implementation of such selective feeding programmes as may be found necessary in addition to the agreed general ration. The results of nutritional surveys will be shared with WFP. The nutritional status of the refugees will also be examined as part of a joint food aid needs assessment. The decision to implement selective feeding programmes will be taken in consultation with WFP on the basis of agreed guidelines. UNHCR will keep WFP informed regularly on the implementation of such programmes.
3.8 Whenever possible, UNHCR and WFP will promote the use of food and non-food aid to encourage and support the self-reliance of the beneficiaries and of their communities, as appropriate. Measures will include food for work, and the provision of non-food inputs such as seeds and agricultural tools.
3.9 In a major new emergency, the initial assessment to determine the number of beneficiaries and the most urgent food needs will normally be carried out within the framework of the emergency response being mobilized by both agencies, and would involve the participation of emergency response teams from UNHCR and WFP, as appropriate.
3.10 In ongoing operations, a review of food needs will normally take the form of a periodic joint assessment mission, undertaken either with country-based or outside staff. The composition of the mission will be mutually agreed. WFP will normally provide the mission team leader and a logistician, if required, and UNHCR a nutritionist and other specialist staff to help assess levels of economic self-reliance, if applicable. The participation as full mission members of selected donor and operational partner representatives will be encouraged so as to promote donor support for the mission's findings. The views of the relevant national authorities and of the beneficiaries will be sought. Jointly established guidelines for food needs assessment missions will be followed. Changes to the recommendations agreed by a joint food needs assessment mission shall be made only by mutual agreement, after discussion between the headquarters.
3.11 WFP will be closely associated with the planning and implementation of repatriation operations, and decisions on the use of WFP food will be taken jointly. If a repatriation commission is established by the Governments concerned and UNHCR, WFP should be a formal or informal observer at its meetings, whenever appropriate.
3.12 Food aid can also play a key role in the successful reintegration of returnees after their repatriation, when assistance to communities or areas is likely to be more appropriate than individual entitlements. Post-conflict rehabilitation activities are required not only for returnees but also for the affected population in the country of origin. Complementary linkages between the short-term reintegration efforts of UNHCR, such as quick-impact projects, and the development activities of WFP and others should be built so as to promote sustainable socio-economic recovery and a successful reintegration of returnees. Whenever appropriate, WFP will promote community and/or area-based projects in such sectors as food security, community services, infrastructure and production that would use food for work or monetized food aid. A joint (or multi-organization) reintegration strategy will be drawn up accordingly.
3.13 At the field level, joint plans of action setting out the agreed objectives and implementation arrangements for operations under the MOU shall be developed and updated regularly.
3.14 Should the UNHCR or the WFP country office consider that developments since the last needs assessment warrant a change in the agreed ration or number of beneficiaries, the other organization shall be advised immediately. The implications of these developments will be reviewed jointly and a course of action agreed.
