agricultural relief and rehabilitation

1
Rehabilitation in agriculture What can we learn
from recent experiences? Laurent Thomas,
Director FAO Emergency Operations and
Rehabilitation Division 12 May 2010

2
FAO in emergencies a specific role
Rehabilitation in food and agriculture
Agriculture is a core survival strategy for the
rural poor, the populations most affected by
crises
FAO aims to protect and restore the food
production and livelihoods of farmers, herders
and fishers following natural disasters, and
during conflict and transition situations
3
Rehabilitation in food and agriculture reducing
and managing disaster risk

• New corporate strategy based on disaster risk
  management
• Strategic Objective I (SOI)
• Improved preparedness for and effective response
  to food and agricultural threats and emergencies
• Preparedness, prevention and mitigation
• Emergency response
• Transition and linkages

4
Disaster Risk Management Framework
Normal/Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) period
Recovery Period
Emergency Response Period
Ongoing development activities
Risk assessment
Mitigation/prevention
Reconstruction
Warning and/or evacuation
Search and rescue
Economic/social recovery
Preparedness
Re-establish logistic routes
Restoration of infrastructural services
Coordination
Major hazard/disaster
Provide ongoing assistance
Emergency initiatives
Damage assessment
Recovery initiatives
DRR initiatives
Media Response
Source Disaster Risk Management Cycle (DRMC)
Diagram (modified from TorqAid
http//www.torqaid.com/default.asp).
5
Rehabilitation in food and agriculture What have
we learned? Good Practice

• Horn of Africa
• Drought preparedness and emergency response
• Reduced vulnerability and enhanced food security
• EWS and contingency planning in partnership (IPC)

6
Rehabilitation in food and agriculture What have
we learned? Good Practice

• Caribbean
• Mitigation of climate hazard impacts in
  agriculture
• Hurricane preparedness at community level
  integrated into planning for emergency response
• Enhanced post-emergency rehabilitation programmes

7
Rehabilitation in food and agriculture What have
we learned? Good Practice

• Haiti
• CCA and DRR in agriculture to improve food
  security post-earthquake
• Strengthening multiplication of quality seeds
• Scaling up adoption of climate-resilient
  agricultural practice
• Promoting good practice through FFS
• Integrating CCA and DRR in policies, programmes,
  institutions

8
Rehabilitation in food and agriculture What have
we learned? Good Practice

• EU Food Facility
• Partnership to enhance impact in 28 countries
• Joint planning focused on comparative advantage
• Tailor made proposals to address country specific
  
• challenges of food insecurity through immediate
  action

9
Rehabilitation in food and agriculture Key
Messages

• Food insecurity and humanitarian crises turning
  the vicious circle into a virtuous circle
• Saving lives saving livelihoods
• A more holistic approach to emergency response
• Focus on strengthening capacities and partners
• Learning from experience

10
Thank you