3.3 Number of distribution points

Determine the number of distribution points, considering the following:

  • Advantages of few distribution points:
    • fewer staff are needed to manage, control and monitor sites
    • less infrastructure (fewer distribution centres) are needed
    • less transportation of goods and commodities required
    • harder for people to present themselves at, and benefit from, several different sites
  • Advantages of many distribution points:
    • shorter travel time for recipients
    • easier access for women
    • fewer crowd-control problems
    • beneficiaries (CARE is trying to avoid the word “beneficiaries”, I would suggest we change this throughout this document using either program participants, recipients or people we serve)  can see distribution taking place-easier self-policing
    • special arrangements can be made for weaker groups
    • many recipients can be served at each site at the established distribution frequency (e.g. weekly, fortnightly, monthly).

Keep in mind the following minimum standards:

  • Recipients do not have to travel more than 5 to 10 km (for dispersed populations) to reach the distribution point.
  • For refugee populations, there is at least one distribution point per 20,000 recipients.
  • Recipient households are allocated to only one distribution point.
  • Safety and security of recipients and staff.