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Selection Criteria not always Targetted at Poorest of the Poor.
We have also noted earlier in this section that a recipient has
generally been "any individual who wants to work". Such being the
case, it has been the team's impression that there has been little
conscious attempt at maximizing the number of mandays available for
the poorest of the poor. It has tended more to be a question of
employing "known persons" for longer periods. These persons in most
cases are poor no doubt; but not necessarily the poorest of the poor.
5. DEPENDENCY RELATIONSHIP
One of the major concerns brought up several times during the
briefing sessions of the evaluation team was the dependency
relationship between the recipients/beneficiaries and the project
holders/consignees. The SOW mentioned that "in some cases, a
dependency relationship between the community and the project holder
was perpetuated". This question was examined in depth by the
evaluation team.
5.1 FFW Prevents Migration and Promotes Family Stability
Although this team did not attempt to determine if repeated
FFW experience contributed to reduced migration and improved family
stability, the team was repeatedly informed by recipients
and community leaders that there would have been migration during the
lean season had not FFW been available.
By providing timely employment, FFW Projects have not only
prevented migration and preserved family stability, but they have also
prevented exploitation of labor. As is amply docuwenLed by several
studies, the extent of exploitation to which migrant labor is
subjected is very high. Family stability in rural areas is a basic
factor for the creation of conditions conducive to economic
self-reliance.
5.2 Lonp-Term Planning Wil! Reduce Dependency
As noted earlier, there has been a shift in recent years in the
CRS policy towards FFW Program implementation in favor of multi-year
development planning (5-years) for integrated community development.
This 5-year planning approach draws a timeline on repeat FFW
expe riences.
When community development plans are carefully designed, and when
they effectively integrate esources and provide for skill
development, they do address the question of the community's
dependency on FFW, as well as their dependency on the project holder.
Repeat FFW experiences over a time perspective with well-set
goals to be achieved at the end of the period, is quite acceptable as
a perspective planning strategy, and in certain circumstances like
drought-induced unemployment, also becomes necessary to keep up the