For the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Nathan India helped assess the impact of food aid on markets and beneficiaries.

We first conducted a rapid needs assessment to identify the food insecure population, then a baseline survey to study the consumption patterns and health of the poor. After food aid was distributed, monthly surveys were conducted to study changes in consumption patterns and statistical analysis quantified the impact of food aid.

We found that staple foods purchased in a neighboring country for beneficiaries in Zimbabwe did not have an impact on the local market. After receiving food aid, beneficiaries reduced their average expenditure on day-to-day consumables, transportation, and increased expenditures on medical care.

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