According to the World Food Program (WFP), people living in areas with chronic food insecurity are more vulnerable to the impacts of disasters. This is because these emergencies tend to push the individuals who are already struggling over the edge.

Food bank networks, being very embedded in their communities are in this situation, best positioned to deliver aid to those who need it the most. They serve as a channel through which all interested parties can make a unified and coordinated effort to ensure that maximum impact is made.

To achieve the best results in situations where aid and relief supplies need to be delivered to those who need it the most, the following are necessities to this course;

• People willing and able to contribute their quota.
• Access to the grassroots.
• A working system for storage, and delivery of relief items.
• A reporting system for accountability and evaluation.

 Lagos Food Bank Initiative is an embodiment of the above stated criteria, coordinating the effort of all partners with expertise, and making the most of all available resources for impact.

People Willing To Contribute Their Quota

There is often a desire within humans to render some help in terms of donations and/or unpaid work (volunteering) whenever we observe the needs of others in our society. However, a lot of this goodwill is crippled by the uncertainty of where and how to start providing help and support. Corporate organizations, just like individuals, often intend to make a positive impact in their society through their corporate social responsibility initiatives but the complexities of how to go about it, or the inability to execute interventions often frustrate these efforts.

Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI), however, provides an avenue where these interested parties can donate whatever resources they have at their disposal – time, money, supplies, skills, and so on to impact lives in dire need. Lagos Food Bank leverages on these resources and deploys them strategically for successful interventions in various communities that have been identified through comprehensive mapping processes and needs assessment. A notable initiative that had great impact on people’s lives was the COVID-19 Emergency Food Intervention Plan (CEFIP) which provided food and personal care items to families living in underserved communities in 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak reduced the people’s means of livelihood by forcing them to stay indoors.

Access To The Grassroots

Food banks tend to establish and manage a strong working relationship with communities they serve. Over time, members of these communities come to trust them to meet their needs. Unlike one-off initiatives, because the food banks serve these communities consistently, they have access to follow-up and continually access the need or improvement of the circumstances in the communities they serve. They have a deeper understanding of their communities and evolve as these communities evolve to always position for the most impact during times of crises or disaster. An organization like the Lagos Food Bank leverages on relationships with community leaders and major stakeholders in various communities to implement the Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), where they cater to the nutritional needs of seniors, women and widows, and people living with disabilities.

A Working System For Storage And Delivery Of Relief Items

Since food banks deal with a huge inventory of supplies that are often perishable, they are usually equipped with inventory systems, and storage facilities that ensures relief items do not go to waste, get contaminated, or be ravaged by pests and other environmental agents such as high intensity sunlight or water. These are some important considerations that Lagos Food Bank has made adequate provision for as it can be seen in the design of its facilities and operations which include its large pest-free warehouses, vehicles for conveying food and sundry items, a cooling van for conveying fresh produce among others.

A Reporting System for Accountability and Evaluation

Finally, when planning and executing outreaches to communities in need, it is important to consider as much data as possible. Food banks, due to their proximity to these communities and expertise in the field are privy to insights that guarantee successful planning and execution of interventions. They consider data reported from several previous outreaches in the communities and identify ways to ensure the most impact in subsequent outreaches. In addition, they closely record and report data insights from each outreach to ensure they stay accountable to their partners, and monitor the impact of their intervention. The annual reports provided by Lagos Food Bank on their website for partners and other stakeholders is a perfect example of how food banks can demonstrate transparency and accountability, and how much impact they have made over time.

All these factors and more make food banks very effective in delivering relief during emergencies and disasters to the affected communities.

Article written by Sorungbe Moyosola Elizabeth