Since 1998, Executive Board members have been invited to visit WFP activities in countries around the world. The programme of field visits gives Board members direct contact with and information on WFP activities, broadening their understanding of the effectiveness of food aid. Through the visits, Board members acquire a sense of the challenges faced both by the beneficiaries and by those responsible for carrying out activities. They also gain insight into the implementation of WFP's overall policies and strategies. Along with visiting activity sites, Board members also meet with representatives of the Government, United Nations agencies and other counterparts, and beneficiaries. Reports prepared by Board members following such visits are listed below:  Date  Countries visited  Document   2004   22 March - 1 April 2004  Guatemala   27 March - 3 April 2004  Bangladesh   2003   22 February–5 March 2003   Mauritania, Senegal, and Guinea   2002   24-27 June 2002  Cuba   17-23 June 2002  Haiti   2001   1-12 November 2000  Peru and Bolivia   3–9 June 2001  Cambodia   2–9 June 2001  Mozambique   2000   17–23 June 2000  Egypt   1999   27 October-7 November 1999  Guatemala and Nicaragua   24-28 May 1999  Bangladesh   19-26 June 1999  Mali   1998   20–25 September 1998  Ethiopia