AngolaAug 2002 Save the Children (SC)
TANGO assisted Save the Children-US/Angola in planning an integrated rehabilitation project to assist the transition of displaced and war-affected populations from dependency on emergency assistance to resettlement and self-sufficiency. The project targets internally displaced households, demobilized soldiers and war-affected residents lacking the current means of production who must return to farming in order to meet their consumption needs. The goal of the project was to provide sustainable improvements in food security for 40,000 households and health status of 30,000 war-affected households in Kwanza Sul and Moxico Provinces.
IEE Review
Angola CARE
TANGO drafted a Development Activity Plan for CARE-Angola as a follow-up project to current program being implemented by the Consortium for Development Relief in Angola (CDRA). The proposal incorporated environmental concerns of development projects, strategies to mitigate any negative environmental impacts, and greater environmental concerns at the state and regional level. This proposal was performed in accordance with USAID and was submitted as the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for the proposed development project area.
Development of a Proposal for Food For Peace (FFP) funds in Angola
Angola World Vision International (WVI)
TANGO drafted a Development Relief Proposal (DRP) for World Vision International in order to attain funds from Food For Peace (FFP) in Angola. The proposal outlined program objectives and activities including: empowering women by facilitating access to assets, promoting a holistic understanding of HIV/AIDS as a livelihoods issue, and promoting conflict resolution, good governance, and social integration. The proposal will be implemented by an alliance between World Vision International, CARE, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and conform to the PL 480 Title II Proposal Guidelines for Development Activity Programs.
Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis
ComorosJan 2006 - Mar 2006 In response to recent volcanic activity, TANGO conducted a Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA) for WFP in the Union of the Comoros. Using mixed data collection methods, the analysis identified the size, location and characteristics of the vulnerable population and the underlying causes of food insecurity in the islands. This assessment provided WFP with baseline information for future food aid interventions in emergency situations.
Early Warning Consultant for Mercy Corps and CRS
Eritrea Mercy Corps and Catholic Relief Services
TANGO developed an Early Warning System for Mercy Corps and Catholic Relief Services in order to obtain community level information on indicators concerning food security at the household level. The Early Warning System was integrated into existing Development Relief Programs in order to facilitate rapid emergency response as well as provide supplementary information to macro-level early warning systems such as the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission. To this end, TANGO designed an Early Warning System tailored to specific livelihood strategies while maintaining comparability with current information systems.
The Path to Self Resiliency
EthiopiaDec 2006 - May 2007 TANGO provided assistance to the Canadian Hunger Foundation (CHF) and their partners for the programs in Ethiopia. Using the Livelihoods approach, TANGO identified some of the key issues for coordinating and implementing interventions in order to “graduate” the chronically food insecure into a state of self-resiliency. To this end, TANGO conducted extensive research in livelihood and food security in Ethiopia and conducted data collection and analysis. Finally, TANGO provided a comprehensive report to CHF and their partners to guide effective program implementation in chronically food insecure areas of Ethiopia.
Download this publicationFinalization of Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the National Food Security Program
EthiopiaMar 2005 - Apr 2005 Department for International Development (DfID)
TANGO provided technical assistance to the Department for International Development in finalizing the Monitoring and Evaluation framework for the Government of Ethiopia’s National Food Security Program. The framework includes detailed guidelines of both indicators and methodologies required to assess the overall performance and impact of key components of the Food Security Programme. TANGO finalized the framework and provided training in implementation and maintenance.
Food Security, Food Aid, and HIV/AIDS Study
EthiopiaJan 2001 World Food Programme (WFP)
This is one of several World Food Programme commissioned projects as a part of a global effort to better understand the links between food security and HIV and AIDS, and to determine how WFP’s programmes can address the food insecurity of people living with HIV and AIDS. The project provided recommendations to WFP related to providing support for care and broadening its definition of vulnerable groups to include families affected by HIV/AIDS and by providing food to these families.
Final Evaluation of Relief Society of Tigray (REST) Title II Program
Ethiopia Relief Society of Tigray (REST)
Tango conducted a final evaluation of a Development Activity Program implemented by the Relief Society of Tigray (REST) over a three-year period to improve household food security in four drought prone food deficit woredas of Central Tigray. Those project activities that were evaluated included components for increasing agricultural production, improving health status of households, maintaining the natural resource base in the region, and improving emergency response capacity.
WFP Food Assistance to Urban Areas: Ethiopia Case Study
Ethiopia World Food Programme (WFP)
This is one of several assessments commissioned by World Food Programme to provide a case study analysis of urban food assistance to improve its urban-based programming.
Food Security, Food Aid, and HIV/AIDS Study
Kenya World Food Programme (WFP)
This is one of several World Food Programme commissioned projects as a part of a global effort to better understand the links between food security and HIV and AIDS, and to determine how WFP’s programmes can address the food insecurity of people living with HIV and AIDS. The proposed strategy incorporates WFP’s comparative advantages of a widespread distribution network in the arid and semi-arid lands, and its presence in the most inaccessible and food insecure areas of Kenya.
USAID Development Activity Program
Kenya Technoserve Inc.
TANGO assisted in the preparation of a Development Activity Program in Kenya for Technoserve. TANGO undertook a preliminary food security assessment of the coastal region of Kenya which served as the foundation for the Development Activity Program proposal. TechnoServe’s approach to improving long-term food security is based on improving agricultural-based economic growth strategies and on improving household nutrition and community health.Understanding the Causes of the Southern African Crisis: Policy Position Papers
MalawiMar 2004 CARE
In January 2003, CARE International launched an analytical process to understand better the nature of longer term livelihood trends in Southern Africa, and thus the causes of the food crisis that was then sweeping the region. The specific objectives of the analysis were to identify the underlying causes of livelihood vulnerability within regional and country contexts and understand long term livelihood trends and coping strategies among vulnerable populations. TANGO was contracted to conduct research and develop policy papers addressing the key thematic areas of Gender Exploitation, Governance and Rural Institutional Development, and Safety Nets within Malawi. The Policy Position Papers will contribute to the development of livelihood recovery strategies in the Southern African region as well as inform and influence key government and donor agendas that integrate long and short term responses to the food crisis.
Underlying Causes of Livelihood Insecurity among the Poor in Malawi: The Testing of Five Potential Hypotheses.
MalawiNov 2003 CARE - SWARMU (Southern and Western Africa Regional Management Unit)
TANGO was contracted by the CARE Southern and Western Africa Regional Management Unit (SWARMU) to develop a thorough analysis of five distinct hypothesis aimed at explaining current trends of food and livelihood insecurity experienced among the poor in Malawi. Using multiple data sets, TANGO tested explanatory hypotheses based on 1) Market liberalization; 2) Government policy and decentralization; 3) Loan default and other trends in rural finance; 4) Institutions responsible for maintaining formal safety nets; and 5) Off-farm income and rural-to-urban migration. As part of the analysis TANGO outlined key findings relevant to each of the established hypothesis and established specific recommendations for follow-up studies.
Analytical and Strategy Development: Malawi Livelihood Erosion through Time, Phase I and II,
Malawi CARE - SWARMU (Southern and Western Regional Management Unit)
CARE Southern and Western Regional Management Unit (SWARMU) commissioned TANGO to undertake a two phase study to understand long term livelihood trends and coping strategies, and to locate these trends within a macro context in Malawi, one of the countries worst affected by the current food crisis. The study aimed to identify the underlying causes of livelihood vulnerability and the regional food crisis, linking micro, meso and macro (national, regional, international) analyses. The research is to be used in the development of livelihood recovery strategies that integrate long and short term responses to the food crisis. Specific research tasks included the collection and analysis of background documentation and contemporary research on livelihoods, including contemporary pressures, historical trends, and factors driving differentiation and downward mobility, and relating these to meso/macro structural, political, economic and other trends. The review and synthesis above identified and prioritized key trends and further research questions, analyzed during Phase II of the study. Based on this, additional field based research to verify and examine livelihood trends will be carried out.
Monitoring and Evaluation Training Program in Mozambique
MozambiqueApr 2005 - May 2005 World Food Programme (WFP)
TANGO provided training for the World Food Programme in Mozambique by supporting the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework. TANGO customized the Monitoring and Evaluation Training Programme specifically for WFP operations in Mozambique and designed and facilitated a five-day workshop to train WFP staff on the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. Included in this workshop was a post-workshop review of the training itself as well as a general evaluation of the training materials.
Final Evaluation of CARE’s VIDA Project
Mozambique CARE
This VIDA Program evaluation examines the ability to meet its objectives of improving the food security of vulnerable populations. The evaluation addresses three aspects of food security: food availability, food access, and food utilization. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the achievements of the project, the impacts of project activities, and review project activities to identify lessons learned and make recommendations for the second phase of the VIDA project.
WFP Food Assistance to Urban Areas: Mozambique Case Study
Mozambique World Food Programme (WFP)
This is one of several assessments commissioned by World Food Programme to provide a case study analysis of urban food assistance to improve its urban-based programming. The urban problems in Mozambique are of interest for two reasons; first, central and southern Mozambique experiences natural calamities, principally floods and droughts on a fairly regular basis. Second, conditions in urban areas of Mozambique have been largely shaped by years of civil conflict.
Consortium for the Southern Africa Food Security Emergency End of Project Evaluation
Regional (East and Southern Africa)Aug 2006 - Oct 2006 The Consortium for the Southern Africa Food Security Emergency (C-SAFE) was a USAID-funded multi-country, multi-agency drought response based on development relief principles that concluded operations in late 2006. On behalf of World Vision, the lead member for C-SAFE, TANGO conducted the final evaluation of C-SAFE’s central management unit and country programs in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Lesotho and made recommendations for future development relief interventions. The qualitative evaluation looked at the strengths and weaknesses of the consortium, the international food delivery architecture, and the overall impact the project had on target communities. The evaluation team used mixed assessment methods to capture impact indicators at local and regional levels to determine the extent to which goals and objectives had been met. The products of this evaluation were country-specific reports as well as synthesis reports for the consortium at large.
Managing Risk, Improving Livelihood: Program Guidelines for Conditions of Chronic Vulnerability
Regional (East and Southern Africa)Sep 2002 CARE
This is the second edition of CARE’s Program Guidelines for Conditions of Chronic Vulnerability. TANGO prepared this document to assist programs in East Africa where, over the course of a three or five year planning horizon, some kind of shock or emergency is likely to happen that places people’s lives or livelihoods at risk. The document describes the concept of vulnerability and sources vulnerability at several levels of program intervention and with regard to changes in programming directions within CARE.
Measuring Vulnerability in Light of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic
Regional (East and Southern Africa) World Food Programme (WFP)/ UNAIDS / UN-RIACSO (Regional Inter-Agency Coordination and Support Office)
UN-RIACSO (Regional Inter-Agency Coordination and Support Office) contracted TANGO to coordinate and facilitate a regional technical consultation involving over 60 participants representing diverse backgrounds and organizations (UN agencies, Southern Africa Development Community, non government organizations, research institutes, and government). The specific objectives of this expert consultation were to: 1) understand the dynamics of HIV/AIDS and vulnerability and how HIV/AIDS is being integrated into current definitions and conceptual frameworks of vulnerability; 2) take stock on how the link between HIV/AIDS and vulnerability is being measured at present including a review of currently used assessment, analytical and monitoring tools in a number of case studies; and 3) to identify potential indicators and methods for measuring HIV/AIDS impacts in vulnerability assessments.
TANGO provided support to this expert consultation in terms of planning and preparation of technical background papers; production of a synthesis document that highlights the concept of HIV/AIDS and vulnerability and how this affects households, communities, institutions, and countries at large; facilitation; documentation and proceedings, as well as a technical document summarizing the key sectoral and cross-cutting issues, indicators, methods and challenges. Finally, TANGO formulated recommendations for integrating HIV/AIDS and vulnerability into regional assessments.
Programme Guidelines for Conditions of Chronic Vulnerability
Regional (East and Southern Africa) CARE
This document, commissioned by CARE East/Central Africa Management Unit, provides a conceptual overview of the issues of chronic vulnerability and the lessons learned in recent years. The guidelines also reviews programming details of dealing with chronic vulnerability, with emphasis on protecting people and their livelihoods in such situation, through improved information systems, improved community preparedness, mitigation and rehabilitation. Finally, the document addresses the issue of overcoming chronic vulnerability, including on longer-term program strategies and advocacy.
C-SAFE/WFP Regional In-Depth Report
Regional (East and Southern Africa) World Food Programme (WFP) and C-SAFE
TANGO performed a Community Household Surveillance Survey (CHS) for the Consortium for Southern Africa Food Security Emergency (C-SAFE) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. The CHS built upon previous reporting from the region and identified regional food and livelihood security trends, analyzed vulnerability, and provided a profile of the most vulnerable groups. The second part of this assignment entailed redesigning the CHS Questionnaire for future surveys in order to improve the understanding of the effects of HIV/AIDS within communities as well as other key social indicators.
Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) Methodology
Regional (East and Southern Africa) World Food Programme (WFP)
TANGO provided technical assistance to the World Food Programme (WFP) and their partner institutions in reviewing the methodologies of their regional and national Vulnerability Assessment Committees (RVAC & NVAC). The various approaches sought to provide varied indicators in data collection through qualitative and quantitative methodologies at the household, regional, and national levels. TANGO reviewed each of these approaches in nine different countries, determining the appropriateness and effectiveness of each methodology to answer cross-cutting issues such as linkage of food security to poverty, health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, water and sanitation, and education. In addition to examining the appropriateness of data collection methods on the ground, TANGO also reviewed how well the results informed policy and decision-makers.
WFP CHS Synthesis Report
Regional (East and Southern Africa) World Food Programme (WFP)
TANGO provided a regional report for the World Food Programme (WFP), synthesizing the Community Household Surveillance (CHS) data from four rounds of surveys in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The report identified regional food and livelihood security issues, characterized current and emerging vulnerable populations, and provided country-specific findings. A second component of this operation was to provide recommendations for future community/household surveys in order to provide more relevant and specific information for future rounds of CHS.
Assessment of Chronic Food Insecurity and Nutrition Issues
SudanFeb 2005 - Apr 2005 World Food Programme (WFP)
TANGO performed a vulnerability assessment for the World Food Programme in Sudan in order to lay foundation for future development activities. The assessment provided information on food insecurity and nutritional status of vulnerable rural populations and proposed appropriate food aid and non-food aid intervention strategies for the future. The assessment was performed by reviewing existing information as well as collecting primary nutritional data and qualitative and quantitative household data.
USAID Development Activity Program
UgandaSep 2002 Technoserve Inc.
In 2002 TANGO performed a food security assessment for Technoserve. The assessment was performed in Northern Uganda in order to create a Development Activity Program that aids in rural livelihood strategies. Food Security, Food Aid, and HIV/AIDS Study
UgandaDec 2000 World Food Programme (WFP)
This is one of several World Food Programme commissioned projects as a part of a global effort to better understand the links between food security and HIV and AIDS, and to determine how WFP’s programmes can address the food insecurity of people living with HIV and AIDS. It suggests how WFP reassess their current programs and develop future programs based on a "minimum package" strategy consisting of food aid, vocational/schooling towards livelihoods skills/income generating activities and life skills in the area of HIV/AIDS.
Food Security Assessment
Uganda TechnoServe Inc.
TechnoServe contracted with TANGO International to undertake a food security assessment of the West Nile and Northern Regions of Uganda which served as the foundation of a Development Activity Program proposal. TechnoServe’s approach to improving long-term food security focused on stimulating agricultural-based economic growth and developing business capacities. TANGO produced a detailed analysis of the food security situation examining food availability, food accessibility and food utilization of the most vulnerable families. The assessment considered the economic, environmental, political, social, institutional and historical context of the target area, and documented current coping strategies of the target population.
MYAP Consultant
ZambiaFeb 2005 - Mar 2005 CARE
TANGO supported CARE-Zambia, World Vision International (WVI), and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in creating a follow-up development activity proposal (DAP) to their ongoing relief and development operations in Zambia. Specifically, TANGO created a hybrid proposal design that combines funds leveraged from different sources for a joint intervention, emphasizing strengths and addressing weaknesses in each agencies programming.
Food Security, Food Aid, and HIV-AIDS Study
Zambia World Food Programme (WFP)
This assessment recognizes the pressing need to examine the complex web of issues that affect food security, food aid and HIV-AIDS in Zambia. Particular attention is drawn to a gender perspective related to implementation and policy aspects. The project explores issues and links concerning food security, food aid and HIV-AIDS, the effect of current interventions on target populations - especially women, children and vulnerable communities - and possibilities for partnering with concerned agencies.
WFP Food Assistance to Urban Areas: Lusaka, Zambia Case Study
Zambia World Food Programme (WFP)
This is one of several assessments commissioned by World Food Programme to provide a case study analysis of urban food assistance to improve its urban-based programming.
Monitoring and Evaluation Training
ZimbabweApr 2005 - Jul 2005 CARE
TANGO assisted CARE-Zimbabwe in providing monthly Monitoring and Evaluation reports including basic descriptions, challenges, and recommendations for the development programming. In addition to the reports, TANGO also trained CARE staff at the district and country level in data analysis. TANGO also provided technical support to CARE’s Monitoring and Evaluation unit in analyzing previous quarterly and annual data on household livelihood security including coping strategies and food security trends.
Maize Marketing Study
ZimbabweMay 2002 World Food Programme (WFP)
The Maize Marketing study examined marketing structures for maize, the most important staple food commodity in urban Zimbabwe, in order to determine the most effective way to design and implement a targeted sales program. The project identifies strategies for targeting sales to the most vulnerable households; assesses relative costs and benefits of; identifies appropriate quantities to be distributed through the sales channels; identifies the appropriate sale prices; assesses potential negative impacts on production; recommends whether targeted sales should include secondary cities.
Food Aid Urban Brainstorming Workshop
Zimbabwe World Food Programme (WFP)
This food aid workshop was prepared for the World Food Programme (WFP) to improve interventions for the urban poor in Zimbabwe. The workshop deliberations were guided by presentation of the results of food security assessments carried in Harare and Bulawayo by FEWSNET (Famine Early Warning Systems NETwork) and TANGO respectively as well presentation of Current Government Pilot Urban Programmes and WFP experiences in urban programming in other countries.
Bulawayo Urban Vulnerability Assessment
Zimbabwe World Food Programme (WFP)
Processes of urbanization have proceeded at unprecedented rates in Zimbabwe. This assessment addresses the socio-economic context of economic decline, increasing poverty and declining quality of urban life. A combination of factors has gradually eroded the food and livelihood security of the poorest urban households. Increasing costs of food have eroded real incomes and household purchasing power.
Zimbabwe Consortium Food Security Program Proposal
Zimbabwe C-SAFE
TANGO developed a proposal to respond to ongoing food security issues for the Consortium for Southern Africa Food Security Emergency (C-SAFE), an alliance between CARE, World Vision, and Catholic Relief Services. In drafting the proposal, TANGO drew on lessons learned by the consortium members, primary and secondary data on the state of food security, and inter-institutional consultations. In addition to fleshing out the current food security issues facing Zimbabwe, TANGO also analyzed the roles and strategies of the different agencies involved in order to ensure effective and efficient use of resources. In a final proposal, TANGO incorporated aspects of the situation analysis, programmatic strategy and logistics framework, as well as descriptions of appropriate programmatic responses to food security emergencies.