FAO

in Africa
en Afrique
en África

EMERGENCY RELIEF AND REHABILITATION

SECOURS D'URGENCE ET REHABILITATION
AYUDA DE EMERGENCIA Y REHABILITACIÓN

TOWARDS LIVELIHOOD RECOVERY

VERS LE REDRESSEMENT
DES MOYENS D'EXISTENCE
HACIA LA RECUPERACIÓN
DE LOS MEDIOS DE SUBSISTENCIA

Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division

Division des opérations d’urgence et de la réhabilitation
Dirección de Operaciones de Emergencia y Rehabilitación
 Rural populations are often the most vulnerable in
emergency and crisis situations. By restoring rural
livelihoods and helping vulnerable people look after their
own vital needs, FAO helps to set the conditions for a quick
and lasting recovery. Founded on the capabilities and
strengths of the affected communities, the recovery may
become an opportunity to build better livelihoods.

Les populations rurales sont

souvent les plus exposées aux
situations d'urgence et de crise. En
redressant les moyens d'existence
ruraux et en aidant les populations
vulnérables à satisfaire par leurs
propres moyens leurs besoins
vitaux, la FAO contribue à établir les
conditions nécessaires pour une
reprise rapide et durable. Fondée
sur les capacités et les forces des
communautés touchées, cette
reprise peut aider à améliorer les
moyens d'existence.

Las poblaciones rurales son a menudo las más

expuestas a las situaciones de emergencia y de
crisis. Al restaurar los medios de subsistencia
rurales y al ayudar a las poblaciones vulnerables a
satisfacer sus necesidades vitales, la FAO contribuye
a crear las condiciones necesarias para una
recuperación rápida y duradera. Basándose en las
capacidades y en las fuerzas de las comunidades
afectadas, esta recuperación puede mejorar los
medios de vida.
 FAOEmergency Operations

in Africa
to protect, restore and enhance livelihoods

Most Congolese refugees have

©FAO/23962/M. Linton

returned home from surrounding

countries. FAO helps them rebuild
their lives in their villages by
providing agricultural tools, seeds and
training. This type of intervention also
facilitates the reintegration of former
soldiers into civilian life and is
beneficial to communities that host
people displaced by conflict.
©FAO

Tools for food production to people affected by conflicts

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is recovering from decades of

instability and the civil war from 1998 to 2002, during which hundreds of
thousands fled and an estimated 3.5 million people lost their lives due to
violence, famine and disease. Political progress has since been made, but in FAO in action
the eastern regions insecurity remains high and recurrent drought has led to
loss of produce. The country lacks the most basic services. Even the FAO’s predominant roles in
infrastructure, such as roads, is in poor condition. humanitarian aid – agriculture
FAO emergency operations in DRC cover the whole territory. Immediate relief and food security – reflect its
includes the distribution of agricultural tools and seeds to restart farming specialization and responsibility
activities. Rehabilitation efforts focus on strengthening the capacity of local within the UN system.
authorities to develop the agriculture sector and increase coordination among In responding to the immediate
humanitarian actors in the food security sector. needs of affected people, FAO
supports efforts to build local
Many displaced people survive on
cassava. Cassava mosaic disease
capacity so that communities are
threatens this essential source of better prepared for longer-term
recovery and more resilient to
©FAO/M. Roest

calories, protein and vitamins. FAO

distributes resistant cassava varieties disasters.
to improve the diet of local FAO emergency operations form
communities and as a safeguard an integral part of the
against food shortages. international community’s
humanitarian response. FAO
Emergency Coordination Units,
located in more than 25 African
countries, work closely with other
In areas with high numbers of
displaced persons, the pressure on humanitarian partners.
scarce resources has increased food
insecurity and threatened rural
livelihoods. FAO has provided fishing
kits and introduced improved
practices to increase food production
and incomes. This alternative means
of living has helped women develop
their own capacities and self-reliance.
FAO emergency relief and rehabilitation response
©FAO
The loss of animals, which are the
prime source of meat and milk and
the main financial asset of
pastoralists, has created a spiral of
poverty, food insecurity and
malnutrition for 15 million people.
©FAO/A. Vitale
Destruction of crops by desert locust swarms repeatedly affects rural livelihoods in Africa.
FAO immediately alerts countries at risk, mobilizes funds and coordinates emergency
locust-control operations. Coordinated interventions also prevent excessive stockpiling
and safe pesticide spraying.
Rehabilitating
©FAO/T. Ben Halima
pastoralists’ livelihoods
In the Horn of Africa the frequency of
drought and floods has increased,
with shorter recovery periods, over
the past decade. This has severely
affected pastoralists, a particularly
vulnerable population in the region.
Beyond immediate interventions
which seek to reduce the loss of
livestock, FAO emergency operations
address the underlying causes of
vulnerability, such as rangeland
degradation, land pressure, total
dependency on livestock, narrow
trade opportunities, widespread
illiteracy and poor health conditions.
FAO projects have improved animal ©FAO FAO Emergency Coordination
Units help governments and
health services, introduced irrigated
fodder and crop production, and NGOs coordinate interventions
in the aftermath of a crisis,
supported women in vegetable reducing gaps and overlaps in
gardening, restocking, marketing, agricultural assistance,
and dairy activities. ensuring common strategies,
and improving impact.
Droughts and floods increase the
likelihood of animal diseases.
Pastoralists may lose the bulk of
their animals and sell those that
survive at a very low market rate, Coordinating interventions
thus further reducing their incomes throughout Africa
and threatening their way of life. Immediate and coordinated action
successfully contains locust plagues
and the spread of animal diseases,
COOPI/G. Govoni
within and across borders. FAO
builds national capacities and
undertakes the coordination of
surveillance, assessments, on-the-
ground operations and networks of
experts and animal health workers.
FAO’s coordination role is especially
important during protracted
emergency situations when many
actors operate close to the
threatened people.
FAO has supported pastoralists through improved animal health
services, such as training of community animal health workers and
veterinary personnel, establishment of animal health drug shops,
supply of veterinary drugs, provision of vaccines and strengthening
of livestock surveillance capacity.
 Main interventions
include needs
assessments,
provision of
agricultural inputs
and technical
assistance for
longer-term
recovery.

Under precarious conditions

©FAO

Enhancing peri-urban
gardening by displaced in the capital suburbs,
woman and youngsters re-settled women and
youngsters often set up
The populations of Burundi’s urban associations or cooperatives
centers are rapidly increasing as the by themselves in order to rent
economy slowly recovers from the a plot of land or obtain the
effects of twelve years of war. right to use it.
Gardening in small plots in urban
areas provides healthy food and
revenue for vulnerable groups such
as returnees, displaced people and
rural families who decided to
migrate to towns to escape poverty.
Selling vegetables in local
markets is a means of income
and facilitates the social
©FAO

FAO supports women integration of people otherwise

and youngsters undertaking on the brink of marginalization.
peri-urban gardening in
the capital suburbs. Producing
©FAO

one’s own food and having a

source of income strengthens
the capacity of young people to
manage their futures.

Seeds to tackle chronic food

shortage
Recurrent climatic shocks in Niger
have exacerbated the vulnerability of
©FAO/G. Napolitano

©FAO/G. Napolitano

rural households that are already at

risk of food shortage due to
economic problems. Seed is the
farmers most essential input.
However, in times of crisis it is
difficult for farmers to have access to
or develop quality varieties. FAO is
implementing seed multiplication
projects to increase the availability to
farmers of improved crop varieties.
In the long-term, this increases the
resilience of the local agricultural
Higher production and sale of short-maturing seed varieties can improve household food
system. security and the income of subsistence farmers. With extra revenue other foodstuffs can be
bought to diversify the family diet, and particularly that of malnourished children.
 FAOEmergency Operations
©FAO/H. Nsibandze
At Input Trade Fairs, beneficiaries are
encouraged to purchase their choice of
seeds with vouchers. This new method
of input distribution promoted by FAO
helps farmers move away from food aid.
FAO provides small scale irrigation
technology for vegetable production.
Farm communities are also assisted
with the adoption of conservation
agriculture which produces more food
and generates cash income.
©FAO
©FAO/H. Nsibandze
in Africa
Protecting livelihoods of the most vulnerable
In recent years, a number of Southern Africa countries are facing emergency
situations due to chronic vulnerability. Food security, HIV/AIDS and
governance are the main interrelated factors that influence the vulnerability of
rural households:
Food security. Drought, declining soil fertility, lack of access to agricultural
tools and the spread of transboundary livestock diseases threaten the food
security of the majority of the poor, who are dependent on agriculture for
employment and income.
HIV/AIDS. The pandemic erode the agricultural capacity and limits livelihood
resilience. Family labour available for agricultural work and income
generating activities is reduced, making recovery even more problematic for
affected families.
Governance. In concert with government action to protect the poor and
vulnerable groups, FAO assists in improving public service delivery,
regulations and planning, particularly in rural areas.
In response to the increasingly complex crisis in the region, FAO has
broadened its emergency operations to help longer-term recovery and
adopted a strategic framework focused on livelihood diversification. FAO
helps coordinate interventions of the various stakeholders in the agricultural
sector, provides technical advice and encourages innovative agricultural
techniques. The Organization put into practice a coordinated approach that
allows continuous dialogue and strategic thinking, minimises gaps and
overlaps in agricultural assistance, and improves impact.
Junior Farmers Field and Life Schools provide a caring environment
Design and concept: Nora Fratini
where children can acquire the skills to secure a livelihood, and learn
farming by doing it. With families torn apart by HIV/AIDS it is difficult to
pass farming know-how onto children and youngsters. Furthermore, these
schools also help maintain knowledge on local seed varieties and
traditional techniques.
Emergency Operations Service
Emergency Operations
and Rehabilitation Division
Technical Cooperation Department
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
ORGANIZATION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS
FAO - Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00153 Rome - Italy
relief-operations@fao.org
www.fao.org/emergencies
 Emergencies
FAO response to
in Africa
RELIEF AND REHABILITATION:
TOWARDS LIVELIHOOD RECOVERY
Unprecedented pace of disasters. The
annual number of food emergencies in Africa has
almost tripled over the past 20 years. Emergencies
have become more complex as factors including
poverty, HIV/AIDS and politics increase people's
vulnerability. Disasters in countries are also
spreading to affect entire subregions.
Violent conflict fuels food emergencies.
Violent conflict is the chief cause of food
emergencies, with food security and malnutrition
more closely linked to wars and civil strife than to
natural factors. Emergencies caused by conflict
have more than doubled since 1992, and more
than half the reported food emergencies in Africa
during the first half of 2006 were primarily due to
©FAO/G. Napolitano
conflict. In some cases, warring parties have
hampered access to food as a tactic.
Protracted crisis, chronic food shortage
and poverty. Poverty exacerbates the impact of
disasters. In 2006, eight of the ten most vulnerable
countries in the world were in sub-Saharan Africa.
In countries experiencing political, military, social
or economic problems, the impact of natural and
human-induced disasters is intensified and
recovery harder. This poses a major threat
to long-term food security, particularly for rural
poor who are ill-equipped to cope.
Poverty and malnutrition also contribute
significantly to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
©FAO
FAO WORKS TO PROTECT, RESTORE
AND ENHANCE LIVELIHOODS
Targeting those in need. FAO works on the
premise that individuals have a right to
emergency assistance. Interventions target the
more vulnerable groups, as a starting point for
addressing poverty and food insecurity.
Reducing dependence on food aid. Food
aid is often vital to save lives, alleviate suffering
and protect the dignity of individuals. FAO
supports early resumption of agricultural
production in parallel with food assistance, to
help rural populations get back on their feet and
reduce the need for food aid. FAO promotes
livelihood interventions that offer longer-term
security, such as market support and training.
The Organization also promotes other activities
that improve incomes and encourage better
health and education.
Agricultural and food production at
forefront of crisis alleviation. Agriculture
is the main occupation of the majority of
households in Africa. The early recovery of
agricultural-based livelihoods is crucial in
staving off the worst effects of a crisis. FAO
believes that supporting farmers, with
participation of local communities, reduces
vulnerability and improves the resilience of rural
populations.
 Assessment Immediate relief
ssessment is vital to agricultural relief and he aim of immediate relief is to save lives by
YYFAO strengths
include international
coordination mechanisms,
A rehabilitation. FAO leads and is accountable
in the UN system for ensuring effective and
timely assessments. FAO provides effective
T providing essential food, water, medicines
and shelter to victims of crises. This must be
followed immediately by protection and recovery
assessments in the agriculture and food security of agricultural-based livelihoods. FAO aims to
and special attention sectors, tailoring its methods to each crisis and to provide people with resources to restart
available funding within each country. For agricultural production as quickly as possible.
to livelihood approaches example, FAO conducts Crop and Food Supply Early funding of these activities helps prevent the
and gender issues. Assessment Missions with the World Food situation from further deteriorating.
Programme, and participates in interagency Needs
Analysis Frameworks, helping coordinate the
humanitarian response in protracted emergencies.

FAO’S TRADITIONAL COUNTERPARTS ARE GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS. THE MAIN CONCERN IS HELPING PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY DURING
CONFLICTS, WHEN STATE INSTITUTIONS ARE WEAKENED OR COLLAPSE. FAO ADVOCATES ACTION THAT BENEFITS

Monitoring, analysing trends
and sharing knowledge
Timely and accurate information is
crucial for disaster prevention and
preparedness. Information
strengthens the capacity of countries
to prevent and reduce risks, and
respond to emergencies, in a
coordinated manner. FAO has
developed early warning information
systems in the agricultural sector
and tools for vulnerability
assessments, prioritization of
hazards and risks, profiling of
coping strategies and emergency
responses. Many of these
developments are through
multilateral collaboration. For
example, the Integrated Food
Security and Humanitarian Phase
Classification, developed in Somalia,
is being adopted by the UN system's
coordination mechanisms for
emergencies.
©FAO/D. Latimer; ©FAO/A. Vitale; ©FAO/4829/A. Proto; ©FAO/M. Roest; ©FAO; ©FAO; Coopi/G. Covoni; ©FAO/H. Nsibandze.
Involving vulnerable groups
in their own recovery
The importance of involving
vulnerable groups from the onset of
an intervention, and respecting
customs and cultures, have become
humanitarian principles. In addition
to increasing the confidence and
trust of communities, these methods
place greater emphasis on the
existing coping capacities of people
and the ability to identify gaps. Such
a participatory approach gives the
communities an opportunity to build
back even better. In Burundi, FAO
supports associations of displaced
women and youngsters undertaking
peri-urban gardening in the capital's
suburbs. Gardening improves
household economies by securing a
source of income and
complementing other food items.
Moreover, it helps to increase the
resilience of people on the brink of
becoming marginalized.
From relief to addressing
longer-term problems
FAO responds to requests for
emergency assistance within its
mandate in the agriculture and food
security sectors. Since many of the
emergency situations faced by
African countries reflect an
underlying crisis in development,
FAO attempts to shift from a purely
reactive response to a development
strategy, in order to address more
deep-rooted problems. Input Trade
Fairs - market-style events where
farmers buy agricultural inputs using
a voucher system - are an
increasingly popular way to move
farmers back to production. Such
methods in turn stimulate the local
economy and retail businesses.
Addressing HIV and AIDS
The HIV/AIDS pandemic touches all
aspects of life in Africa. There is a
marked reduction in both agricultural
production and the ability to generate
income in affected households.
Malnutrition undermines the
production capacity of individuals
and leads to faster progression of the
disease. Early deaths of adults in their
productive years have led to a sharp
increase in African households
headed by grandparents and by
children. This increases households'
vulnerability to food insecurity.
Gender inequalities combined with
sexual abuse place women - who
make up the majority of African
farmers - at greater risk of HIV/AIDS.
FAO emergency activities address the
effects of the disease on farmers,
women, vulnerable communities and
orphaned children. Projects train
children in food-production
techniques and nutrition. These
projects include Junior Farmer Field
and Life Schools, which help fill
knowledge gaps left by the premature
death of parents.
Protracted crises Rehabilitation Post-emergency
any emergency situations in Africa last apidly rehabilitating local agricultural verwhelmed by an increase in emergencies,

M for years due to ongoing conflict or

chronic vulnerability. Instability hinders
rehabilitation of agricultural production,
restoration of infrastructure and rebuilding of
institutions. People's beliefs are undermined,
their livelihoods placed under great stress and
their coping mechanisms reduced. For example
refugees have difficulty moving beyond day-to-
day coping tactics, given their restricted access to
land or temporary land tenure. Protracted
emergencies require an international response
beyond the mandate or capacity of any single UN
agency. FAO plays a key coordination role in such
situations.
R production must involve reducing
dependency on food aid and implementing
sustainable interventions. In most households,
agriculture is essential to nutrition, income,
health and education. After humanitarian crises
have subsided, projects emphasizing livelihood
rehabilitation can have an immediate impact on
bolstering stability. FAO emergency operations
draw on the Organization's long-standing
experience and technical expertise in farming,
livestock, fishing and forestry, matching know-
how with donor resources.
O governments in Africa seek higher quality
assistance that integrates preparedness,
relief and rehabilitation, as well as protection and
enhancement of livelihoods. Direct technical
assistance in post-emergency situations must be
more integrated and coherent. FAO agriculture
and food security programmes, and development
strategies, follow this integrated and multifaceted
approach.

THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT RISK. ACTING AS AN IMPARTIAL AND HONEST ACTOR,
FAO AIMS TO MAKE DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS REACH THE BENEFICIARIES BY SUPPORTING WELL-DEFINED AND TARGETED PROJECTS.

Protecting biodiversity
and natural resources
Biodiversity and natural resources are
primary assets for rural populations
that rely on agriculture for their
livelihoods. These resources are
threatened by natural disasters, failed
development and conflict. Natural
assets - land, soil, water, watersheds,
rainfall and forest coverage - are
closely connected to people's food
security. FAO attempts to preserve
and restore the natural resource base
and maintain its long-term
productivity, minimizing the negative
effects of land degradation and
climate change. Conservation
agriculture, for example, balances
profitable agricultural production with
environmental concerns and
sustainability. Enhanced soils, and
the resulting increased yields, allow
farmers affected by HIV/AIDS in
Zambia to save on labour and
farming costs. In Djibouti, small
pastoral farming areas were
rehabilitated to increase grazing areas
for livestock, thus alleviating some of
the nomadic communities' struggle
for animal feed.
Building upon local knowledge
and capabilities
Information and knowledge provided
by the local population can be a
major resource in a disaster.
Involvement of beneficiaries in all
phases of an intervention - from the
initial assessment of needs to the
management and evaluation of
activities - produces results that
better reflect local practices,
capabilities, assets and coping
strategies. The FAO approach
ensures greater sustainability of
interventions. For example seed relief
initiatives, based on traditional
knowledge of the local variety, quality
and availability of seeds, can
empower farmers and traders,
strengthen the coping capacities of
rural communities and help to
maintain agricultural biodiversity.
Preserving self-reliance
and dignity
FAO reinforces the capacity of
populations to restart agricultural
and food production. This
increases self-reliance and
preserves the dignity of those who
still have the capacity to look after
their own needs. Moreover, it
reduces the threat of damaging
actions such as selling assets,
forced migration and prostitution,
which in turn worsen the
humanitarian situation and increase
the risk of permanent destitution. In
the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, for example, FAO is
providing agricultural tools, seeds
and fishing equipment to people
displaced by conflicts and to those
returning to the country after
seeking refuge. The resumption of
production has helped these
beneficiaries value their strengths.
Building back better
Disasters often trigger changes in
approach that aid future prevention
and preparedness, with resources
channelled in new directions. Using
this building back better approach
during post-emergency phases, FAO
supports member countries in
strengthening institutional capacity
for sustainable development and
emergency preparedness. For
example, when addressing outbreaks
of transboundary animal diseases
such as foot-and-mouth disease,
contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
and anthrax, FAO provides training
and upgrading of veterinary officers'
skills, supplies laboratory equipment
and introduces better monitoring
technology. In Sudan, where
disputes over land and property
rights are a root cause of conflict,
FAO is supporting land tenure
solutions and strengthening the
operational capacity of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Animal
Resources.
 FAO
Emergency Operations
in Africa
COOPI/G. Govoni
HOW FAO SUCCEEDS
Coordination role. FAO has strong links with
a wide variety of partners, from the community
level to the global arena. The Organization
coordinates its work with other humanitarian and
United Nations agencies. FAO Emergency
Coordination Units take main responsibility for
coordinating and leading food and agriculture
emergency operations during a crisis. Indeed,
FAO assists African governments by liaising with
stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
FAO coordination activities are a full-time job in
©FAO
most crises. This results in fewer overlaps, less
duplication, better identification of gaps in
disaster assistance and better use of resources.
Field presence and decentralization.
Through more than 25 Emergency Coordination
Units spread over the African continent -
supported by Regional Offices and technical units
at Headquarters - FAO provides sound technical
advice and guidance based on extensive
hands-on experience. Emergency Coordination
Units have frontline responsibility and
accountability for the operations in their zones.
Good communications and strong reporting links
to Headquarters result in effective field work
in Africa.
FAO
Design and concept: Nora Fratini
RED CROSS
WFP
RED CRESCENT
NATIONAL
Emergency Operations Service GOVERNMENTS
Emergency Operations
and Rehabilitation Division
LOCAL AUTHORITIES VULNERABLE
Technical Cooperation Department GROUPS
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
OF THE UNITED NATIONS
AND CIVIL SOCIETY
FAO - Viale delle Terme di Caracalla - 00153 Rome - Italy
DONORS
relief-operations@fao.org
www.fao.org/emergencies NGO’S
Knowledge and information for action
and prevention. FAO is recognized as a key
source of knowledge and information on
agriculture, food security and nutrition - core
issues in times of emergency. FAO Emergency
Coordination Units supply stakeholders with
well-timed information and accurate analysis
to ensure the most effective response, covering
assessment, planning and early recovery.
Knowledge and information on food and
agriculture is also crucial for disaster prevention
and preparedness. FAO has developed invaluable
tools for this, including vulnerability
assessments, hazard profiling and early warning
systems on desert locust and avian flu.
Accountability. FAO ensures the best
use of donor contributions, as a responsible
manager of public funds.
The Organization tracks costs in emergencies
through reports, monitoring, evaluation,
internal and external auditing and interagency
measures. Moreover, FAO has increased its
accountability to beneficiaries through
promoting participatory approaches and
the protection of individuals in humanitarian
interventions.
Partnerships
UNDP IFAD
and the
UNICEF humanitarian
system
UNHCR
WHO
OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS
OIE
IAEA
OCHA UNDAC IASC
Emergencies
FAO response to

in Africa
RELIEF AND REHABILITATION:
KEY FACTS AND FAO ROLE
FAO EMERGENCY FUNDING OF FAO EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS 1994-2007
OPERATIONS AND AFRICA 2007

Other
continents Africa
49% 51%

Algeria Egypt

Ongoing projects in 2007; source: FAO

Mauritania
Africa receives the largest proportion of FAO emergency Mali Niger
assistance. Chad Eritrea
Senegal Sudan
Djibouti
FUNDING OF FAO EMERGENCY Guinea
Sierra Leone Nigeria Ethiopia
INTERVENTIONS IN AFRICA Somalia
Liberia Cameroon Central African Republic > 75
US$ million Côte d’Ivoire Uganda
Congo Kenya
180 Rwanda
DR Congo
Burundi
160 Tanzania

Angola Malawi
140 Zambia Mozambique

120 Zimbabwe
Botswana Madagascar
100 30 > 75
Swaziland
Lesotho
80

60

40 5 > 30

20 <5
US$ million
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Projects from 1994 to 2007; source: FAO
Source: FAO More than half of the reported food emergencies in Africa in the first half of 2006 were primarily
FAO assistance in food and agriculture is mainly provided due to conflict. This trend is increasing and the escalation of widespread violence and insecurity
by donors. intensifies chronic food shortage and poverty.
FAO emergency relief and rehabilitation response

FAO has developed the FAO EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOL:

Emergency Response Protocol
for Food Security to improve the
predictability, timing and
LINKING INFORMATION TO ACTION
effectiveness of humanitarian
response.
Systematic information, ongoing Situation analysis Response analysis Response planning Response
assessment, monitoring and  Background  Guiding principles  Projects implementation
 Vulnerable groups  Response options  Relation with CAP  Modalities
evaluation have led to a range of profiles
 Partners  Objectives  Partners
short, medium and long-term  FAO Plans of action
 IPC maps
responses. Responses converge
in attempting livelihood Monitoring
restoration - an essential & Evaluation
component of humanitarian  Modalities
action - and in seeking to  Lessons learned
increase the resilience of food
systems.
The Emergency Response Protocol is also the backbone of Plans of Action at country level. The protocol is the logical framework to which
ad hoc components can be added, as shown in the example above.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
THE BASIS FOR HARMONIZED AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSE
Situation analysis is the foundation
of effective interventions, from
planning to monitoring and
evaluation.
Key aspects include:
 severity of the situation;
 geographic extent;
 magnitude (number of people);
 immediate causes;
 underlying causes;
 targeting and projected trends;
Broad consensus on situation
analysis from all stakeholders leads
to better coordination and leveraging
of resources, and more effective and
efficient response.
The inter-agency Integrated Food
Security and Humanitarian Phase
Classification (IPC) is an effective
tool based on standard data. IPC is
built on internationally accepted
standards and provides tools for
situation analysis. IPC integrates
PHASE STRATEGIC RESPONSE
food security, nutrition and a
livelihood information into a simple 1 Generally
food secure, high
statement indicating the severity of a Investment in livelihood production, trade and
crisis. The characteristics of each 1b Generally distribution systems; enabling development,
phase have implications for action. food secure, low
addressing issues of equity and sustainability.
IPC, which is especially useful in
protracted crises and recurrent
disasters, has been of particular 2 Chronically Provision of safety nets; risk reduction
food insecure interventions; livelihood support; addressing
value to the UN Inter-Agency
Standing Committee (IASC) and to structural problems.
the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA). In 3 Acute food
Urgent interventions to increase food
and livelihood
fact, this tool can be used for the crisis access/availability to minimum standards and
Needs Analysis Framework of the prevent destruction of livelihood assets.
UN Consolidated Appeals Process.
www.ipcinfo.org Urgent interventions to prevent severe malnutrition,
4 Humanitarian starvation and irreversible asset-stripping, by
emergency increasing to minimum the standards of food
access/availability and other basic needs.
5 Famine /
Critically urgent protection of human lives through
Humanitarian
catastrophe comprehensive assistance to ensure basic needs,
such as food, water, health and shelter.
 Humanitarian
reform is at the
centre of the UN
agenda, and FAO
has adopted
a range of
mechanisms and
approaches to
improve its
response.

COORDINATION AND INTERVENTION MECHANISMS ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING

FAO collaborates with many partners, including governments, other UN FAO follows globally accepted mechanisms and procedures such as:
organizations and humanitarian groups. Interagency tools for action are:  Crop and Food Supply Assessment Missions, in collaboration
 Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) which is the UN forum with the World Food Programme (WFP);
for coordination, division of responsibilities, policy development and  Needs Analysis Framework of the UN Consolidated Appeals
decision-making; Processes;
 Flash Appeals, to raise the alarm when an emergency breaks. These  Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP), the strategic plan for
provide a concise overview of urgent life-saving requirements and a plan humanitarian response developed by the UN Country Team. The CHAP
to address acute needs. Furthermore, Flash Appeals provide a platform to is the groundwork of Consolidated Appeals Processes and Flash
publicise funding needs for projects, and for the inventory of projects. A Appeals;
Flash Appeal may develop into a Consolidated Appeal if an emergency  Field surveys on agriculture, carried out regularly by the Vulnerability
continues beyond six months; Assessment Committees along with other UN agencies.
 Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP), the programme of the UN In addition, various FAO alert systems and programmes highlight
system, coordinated by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian potential emergencies, prevent disasters and help planning. Examples are:
Assistance (OCHA) to plan, coordinate, fund, implement and monitor  Global Information and Early Warning System for Food and
responses; Agriculture (GIEWS);
 UN Country Teams, in which UN agencies and partners - such as  Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and
NGOs - participate; Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES), with its Desert Locust
 FAO Plans of Action, carried out at country level with the national component;
government as key partner, together with international agencies, NGOs  Global Early Warning System for Transboundary Animal
and donors; Diseases (GLEWS), the main mechanism for Avian flu - launched in
 FAO Emergency Coordination Units (ECUs), located in affected collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World
areas. Supported by Regional Offices and Headquarters' technical Organisation for Animal Health (OIE);
units, ECUs coordinate emergency operations, provide technical  Integrated Rapid Livelihood Assessment, recently developed to
advice and guidance and conduct food and agriculture assessments; supply tools and methods for rapid analysis and response to the impact
 FAO Crisis Management Centre (CMC), which responds to of disasters on the livelihoods of people.
animal and plant disease and food safety crises, and safeguard global
bio-security.
RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND FUNDING MECHANISMS
Funding for emergency operations is mainly provided by donors and these
FAO EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS IN AFRICA contributions are essential in emergencies. For interventions that require a
system-wide response, FAO seeks donor support mainly through the
BY TYPE 2007 following means:
 Flash Appeals, issued in response to sudden disasters, provide
Plant Food Irrigation priority projects which donors should fund;
security 3%
protection
information Animal health
 Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP), developed for complex
7%
3% and production humanitarian emergencies, brings aid organizations together to plan,
Supply 31% coordinate, implement and monitor their response to emergencies, and
of agricultural
inputs 49%
to jointly appeal for required funds;
Nutrition
Other  FAO Plans of Action and strategy papers on behalf of the
3%
4% countries affected by disasters.
FAO created the Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation
Activities (SFERA) in 2004, to ensure an immediate cash-flow that
allows prompt response before donor funding is secured. SFERA funds
allow early assessments, the initiation of coordination activities, well-
Ongoing projects in 2007; source: FAO timed preparation of programmes, and the purchase of agricultural
FAO emergency interventions are designed to build back better agricultural and food equipment and inputs to start field activities.
production.
FAO
Emergency Operations

in Africa

ACCOUNTABILITY TOOLS HOW FAO SUCCEEDS

AND PROCEDURES
EMERGENCY COORDINATION UNITS AND REGIONS
Accountability tools and procedures ensure the
best use of resources and the tracking of  Regional Emergency
expenditures. FAO provides data to interagency Office for Africa
tools, such as the Financial Tracking  Subregional Units
Western and Central Africa  National Coordination
Service (FTS), a database of humanitarian
needs and donor contributions managed by Units
OCHA. The FTS indicates the proportion of aid
in relation to need. Niger Eritrea
FAO also tracks its activity through means such ● Chad
 Sudan 

as: Senegal
 reports following assessment missions;
 Côte d’Ivoire  Ethiopia Somalia
 financial reports on emergency activities;
 monitoring, evaluation and impact Liberia Central African Republic
Uganda
 
assessment of projects;
 internal and external auditing.
 ■ Kenya
DR Congo Eastern Africa
  Tanzania Burundi

 Malawi

Source: FAO
Angola 
Zambia Mozambique

 Zimbabwe  Madagascar
Through more than 25
Namibia Botswana 
Emergency Coordination Units,
FAO reaches millions of
households, provides technical  Swaziland

advice and guidance, and
● 
coordinates emergency
operations related to food and
South Africa

Lesotho
agriculture. Southern Africa

BENEFITS OF EARLY RECOVERY

Design and concept: Nora Fratini

SITUATION

Emergency Operations Service

Emergency Operations
and Rehabilitation Division
Technical Cooperation Department
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION
Humanitarian
OF THE UNITED NATIONS emergency
Famine
FAO - Viale delle Terme di Caracalla - 00153 Rome - Italy
time
relief-operations@fao.org
www.fao.org/emergencies The early recovery of agriculture-based livelihoods is cost effective and improves emergency responses.
In the UN system, FAO has the mandate for responding to crises in the
agriculture and food security sectors. The FAO Emergency Operations and
Rehabilitation Division plays a vital role in rapidly rehabilitating local
agricultural production and reducing dependency on food aid, which are
essential factors for sustainable recovery.
Dans le système des Nations Unies, la FAO a pour mandat de répondre aux
crises dans les secteurs de l'agriculture et de la sécurité alimentaire. La
Division des opérations d'urgence et de la réhabilitation joue un rôle vital dans
la relance rapide de la production agricole locale et la réduction de la
dépendance vis-à-vis de l'aide alimentaire, qui sont des facteurs essentiels
pour une reprise durable.
En el sistema de las Naciones Unidas, la FAO tiene el mandato para responder
a las crisis en el sector de la agricultura y de la seguridad alimentaria. La
División de Operaciones de Emergencia y Rehabilitación desempeña una
función fundamental en la rápida rehabilitación de la producción agrícola local
y en la reducción de la dependencia de la ayuda alimentaria, factores
esenciales para una recuperación sostenible.

Emergency Operations Service

Emergency Operations and Rehabilitation Division
Technical Cooperation Department
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Service des opérations d'urgence
Division des opérations d’urgence et de la réhabilitation
Département de la coopération technique
ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L’ALIMENTATION ET L’AGRICULTURE
Servicio de Operaciones de Emergencia
Dirección de Operaciones de Emergencia y Rehabilitación
Departamento de Cooperación Técnica
ORGANIZACIÓN DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS PARA LA AGRICULTURA Y LA ALIMENTACIÓN
FAO - Viale delle Terme di Caracalla - 00153 Rome - Italy
relief-operations@fao.org
www.fao.org/emergencies

Design and concept: Nora Fratini

Photos: ©FAO; ©FAO; ©FAO/J. Cendon; ©FAO/10972/F. Mattioli; ©FAO/G. Napolitano; ©FAO
 FAO
Emergency Operations

emergency operations in African cities

strengthening livelihoods
through the potential of urban agriculture
©J. Koelen

Rapid and uncontrolled urbanization threatens food security. Over

half of the world's population lives in cities. In some African cities urban growth
has been exponential. The majority live in overcrowded slums threatened by
landslide, flooding and disease. As food demand grows, sprawl and unplanned
urbanization exacerbate the degradation of forests, water sources and land in
peri-urban areas. A rising number of people are moving into cities in search of
food, employment and security. Migrants from rural areas, displaced people and
refugees struggle daily for subsistence.

Chronic vulnerability can easily escalate into food crises. Poverty,

unemployment, malnutrition and food insecurity are silent emergencies eroding
the capacity to withstand disaster. Consequentially, soaring food prices have
severely affected African cities, drastically reducing purchasing power and
©FAO

increasing the number of hungry people. In several countries, civil conflict,

droughts and trade disruptions persist. Massive public and private investments
are required to reverse this situation. Small-scale agricultural activities in urban
areas can help to mitigate a trend that is likely to worsen.

FAO promotes agricultural activities to increase the resilience of the

urban poor. Protecting and preserving land, forests and water sources and
intensifying the capacity for local production are crucial to meeting the needs of
an expanding urban population. FAO helps create and strengthen small-scale
agricultural activities such as home gardening, beekeeping, fisheries and
livestock fattening - all of which provide quality nutrition and sources of income.
Agricultural activities also have a catalytic effect on employment opportunities,
social cohesion and self-reliance.

FAO action in urban areas

Building upon experience and knowledge. In the last ten years, FAO
has been progressively involved with recovery from urban emergencies. The
FAO emergency programme and particularly the European Commission Food
Facility projects implemented by FAO increasingly aid urban dwellers. FAO is
a specialised source of knowledge of agriculture, food security and nutrition,
©FAO/G. Napoletano

and works to help institutions expand urban agricultural activities.

Targeting and protecting vulnerable groups. Gender, age and disability

increase vulnerability to crises. FAO carries out interventions that reinforce the
capacity of women, unemployed youth, orphans, HIV/AIDS-affected families,
and repatriated or displaced people to look after their own needs.

Tailoring early recovery to the complex urban environment. FAO

follows an integrated approach to addressing immediate needs and long-term
problems. In Africa, livelihood diversification and innovative agricultural
techniques help build resilience in protracted emergency situations.
 FAO
Emergency Operations

emergency operations in African cities

©FAO
Monrovia, Liberia - Re-establishing urban gardening to cope with
rising food prices. Liberia is recovering from the disastrous effects of 14
years of civil war that destroyed its economy and the lives of hundreds of
thousands. People previously reliant on urban and peri-urban gardening lack
the resources to restart production, a situation worsened by the sudden
increase in food and fuel prices in 2008. Since 2007, FAO has supported
vegetable gardening in Monrovia and other densely inhabited urban areas
through training and the distribution of seeds to grow vegetables and short-
cycle crops for households and markets.

Djibouti City, Djibouti - Rehabilitating livelihoods of migrant

pastoralists. Despite four years of economic growth, Djibouti is facing a
food and nutrition crisis due to drought. About two-thirds of the 720 000 Monrovia - FAO supports small-scale
inhabitants live in the capital, and the arrival of new refugees, asylum-seekers agricultural activities that improve
and migrants further threatens living conditions and employment nutrition, generate income opportunities
opportunities. The sharp increase in food and energy prices since 2007 has and provide local markets
worsened the already critical situation. FAO projects aim to prevent further with fresh produce.

©FAO
displacements from rural areas affected by scant rainfall and to support
pastoralists resettled in the poor suburbs by helping to improve water
management, home gardening, and fruit and fodder production in the
surrounding areas of the capital city.

Bujumbura, Burundi - Bettering cooperation among urban, peri-

urban and rural areas. Although many of the thousands who fled during
the civil conflict have returned home, the urban population is still growing. Djibouti City - FAO promotes activities
FAO emergency projects assist unemployed youth, displaced people, forced that expand the potential for
agriculture and are well integrated into
rural migrants, and women heading households. In Bujumbura, where food the urban environment.
prices have risen more than 40 percent since 2006, the greater availability of
locally cultivated produce will ameliorate this trend. Beekeeping, small-scale
gardening, informal marketing and the manufacture of agricultural tools have
a significant social impact. Ongoing Food Facility projects, including the
reconstruction of dikes and irrigation infrastructures, reinforce the
connections between rural areas and towns.
Design and concept: Nora Fratini
©FAO/A. Proto

Emergency Operations Service

Emergency Operations
and Rehabilitation Division
Technical Cooperation Department
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Bujumbura - FAO engages
ORGANIZATION
in ongoing needs assessment of OF THE UNITED NATIONS
vulnerable groups. Projects target
youth cooperatives, associations of FAO - Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
women and farmers, and community 00153 Rome - Italy
groups, facilitating social and
economic integration - key to the relief-operations@fao.org
consolidation of peace. www.fao.org/emergencies