The project's target group consists of about 1,500 village clusters, principally in relation to the greatest need but in such a way as to ensure the greatest opportunity for successfully achieving targets and safeguarding the assets of communities and their Locality Councils.Beneficiaries are men and women smallholder farmers, pastoralists, and displaced landless people that make up more than 95% of the rural population. The target group comprises a total number of 84,900 households, or 840,000 people, with an average annual income of USD 145, compared with the GNP per capita of USD 290. About 30% of rural households, or 260,000 people, in over 260 communities, will benefit directly from the project. The target group covers communities that have suffered widespread disruption, including those that are living under conditions of uncertainty and people suffering from abject poverty in areas which are currently inaccessible to government services.The selection of the localities for the introduction of the complete package of project interventions is to be made by the PMU and governmental authorities (through the PEB) in such a way as to ensure the greatest opportunity for the successful achievement of targets and safeguarding of assets. Priority between these localities is on the basis of greatest need - e.g. the staple grain balance of the rural communities and lack of basic services and amenities - and the commitment of the Localities to establishing accountable, cost-effective and sustainable community services. Within each Locality, the selection of communities is to be done by Locality Councils and the PMU: firstly, on the basis of greatest need; and secondly, taking into account the interest, effort and commitment of communities themselves to co-operate with, and to participate in the project approach. Both smallholder and pastoral communities and their men and women will be given equal opportunities.