ACCORD meets urgent food security needs and long-term goals

By Elizabeth M. Valmoria, Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development (ACCORD)

Standards in food security and livelihoods

Food is a fundamental necessity during disasters, and ACCORD’s humanitarian response is guided by Sphere’s minimum food security standards. Our food packs, designed for a family of five and lasting a month, provide adequate calories and a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. To ensure relevance, we consult with communities to include culturally acceptable food items like rice, beans, and dried fish, with input from nutritionists to ensure nutritional adequacy.

We prioritise local procurement – sourcing food from nearby cooperatives – which reduces emissions, supports local economies, and fosters community connections. For example, after Super Typhoon Rai in 2021, a cooperative from Agusan del Sur supplied rice and mung beans to affected communities, helping revive sustainable farming practices.

The most at-risk groups, including older persons, people with disabilities, and women- or child-headed households, are prioritised in food distributions. Accessible distribution points ensure aid reaches those with mobility challenges, and food is delivered directly when needed.

Sustainability is a core principle for ACCORD, with recyclable packaging used to reduce plastic waste. Communities are encouraged to bring their own bags, reinforcing environmental responsibility and community ownership of the aid process.

Prior to food distribution, baseline Food Consumption Scores (FCS) are gathered to assess household food security. This data helps monitor the effectiveness of food aid and track dietary diversity over time. Post-distribution monitoring (PDM) further assesses the impact of food aid and informs necessary adjustments to the program.

Accountability and Community Engagement

Through PDM, aid recipients provide feedback on three key areas:

1. Quantity, quality, and acceptability of food packs – Recipients can report any issues, such as spoiled items, which are replaced immediately. Feedback also helps adjust food packs for larger families (⇒ Food assistance standard 6.1: General nutrition requirements).
2. Distribution process – Feedback on whether distributions are safe, efficient, and accessible is collected to improve future operations (⇒ Food assistance standard 6.3: Targeting, distribution and delivery).
3. Staff conduct – Community members can voice concerns or share feedback about the behaviour of staff involved in the response (⇒ CHS Commitment 5, organisational responsibility 5.5).

This feedback system strengthens accountability and allows us to adapt our interventions based on recipient input.

Sustainability in Recovery

In addition to providing food aid, ACCORD promotes livelihood recovery by distributing seed starter packs for fast-growing vegetables. This encourages affected communities to engage in sustainable food production, either in backyard gardens or evacuation centres. We also provide training in organic farming, helping disaster-affected communities regain their food independence (⇒ SEADS standards).

This approach ensures that emergency food aid is coupled with long-term sustainability. By supporting local food production and building community resilience, ACCORD adheres to Sphere’s emphasis on linking relief to recovery.

By combining immediate food aid with sustainable recovery measures and ensuring community engagement throughout, ACCORD’s interventions not only address urgent needs but also contribute to the long-term resilience of disaster-affected populations. Consultation, feedback, and a focus on environmental sustainability further ensure that interventions are dignified, accountable to affected populations, and aligned with the primary goal of humanitarian interventions – to save lives and reduce human suffering.