The Timeliness and Cost-Effectiveness of the Local and Regional Procurement of Food Aid

Authors

Erin C. Lentz, Bucknell UniversityFollow
Simone Passarelli
Christopher B. Barrett

Publication Date

2013

Description

Local and regional procurement (LRP) of food aid is often claimed to lead to quicker and more cost-effective response. We generate timeliness and cost-effectiveness estimates by comparing US-funded LRP activities in nine countries against in-kind, transoceanic food aid shipments from the US to the same countries during the same timeframe. Procuring food locally or distributing cash or vouchers results in a time savings of nearly 14 weeks, a 62 percent gain. Cost-effectiveness varies significantly by commodity type. Procuring grains locally saved over 50 percent, on average, while local procurement of processed commodities was not always cost-effective. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal

World Development

Volume

49

First Page

9

Last Page

18

Department

International Relations

Link to Published Version

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.01.017

Recommended Citation

Lentz, Erin C.; Passarelli, Simone; and Barrett, Christopher B.. "The Timeliness and Cost-Effectiveness of the Local and Regional Procurement of Food Aid." World Development (2013) : 9-18.