Publication

The paper examines how food aid can best be targeted to the neediest households in food-insecure areas, addressing particularly the case of Ethiopia. As a framework for the discussion, a typology of targeting methods is briefly set out to then focus on community targeting. A summary of views expressed by beneficiaries and implementing staff in chronic food-aid recipient areas sheds doubt on the potential of pure self-targeting. The author concludes that a combination of self-targeting elements with community prioritization of the neediest households is the best available targeting option.