|
| ||||||||||
FAO's multiple roles: preparing and responding to emergencies
When disaster strikes, the media descend and fill the world's television screens with images of destruction and suffering. These images, beamed around the globe in seconds, make a vital contribution to the general understanding of the problems confronting the people affected by the disaster. They stimulate worldwide mobilization of resources to help victims. But once the immediate crisis is over, the media move on. As a result the focus is on immediate relief efforts, and the public does not receive a complete picture of the wide range of humanitarian assistance that is provided to tackle emergencies.
FAO is primarily a development agency, and its emergency activities reflect this focus. Some eight distinct phases can be distinguished in the Organization's approach to emergencies:
Prevention Many of FAO's Field Programme activities contribute to reducing the vulnerability of agricultural communities to disaster. The Organization provides support for better water control; higher-yielding crop production technologies; crop and livestock diversification; greater use of drought-resistant crop varieties; improved control of pests and diseases affecting crops and livestock; improved management of soils, rangelands and forested areas, including watersheds; better coastal fishing practices; home gardens and nutrition education; and improved on-farm storage, cereal banks and food security reserves. Preparedness planning FAO helps governments and regional organizations plan for disasters, including measures to mitigate their effects and to mobilize rapid relief and rehabilitation assistance, where necessary. As a follow-up to the World Food Summit, FAO is helping member countries develop national food insecurity and vulnerability information and mapping systems. These will build on existing national food security information systems, many of which have been established with FAO assistance. Monitoring and early warning FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System for Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) monitors food supply and demand around the world. It provides policy-makers and analysts with up-to-date information on crop prospects and gives early warning on imminent food crises. The Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) keeps a global watch for signs of emerging threats from pests and epidemics. The information collected by these systems enables governments and international bodies to take action early in order to prevent emergencies from developing. Assessment of impact and needs To provide the right kind of help in an emergency, it is essential to know the nature and extent of the disaster, how many people are affected and what help is needed. In the immediate aftermath of an emergency involving food and agriculture, FAO works together with the World Food Programme (WFP) to assess the situation and outlook for crops, food supplies and agricultural inputs and to estimate immediate needs for food and agricultural relief. As necessary, FAO mounts agricultural relief and rehabilitation missions to determine inputs and measures needed for the restoration of productive activity as soon as possible. Rapidly produced reports provide donor countries with crucial information to help them respond swiftly and effectively. Where relevant, this information is disseminated through consolidated interagency humanitarian appeals. Relief Relief efforts are aimed at saving lives in the immediate wake of a disaster. FAO's Director-General shares with the Executive Director of WFP responsibility for approving large WFP emergency food relief operations. FAO and WFP monitor pledges and deliveries of international food assistance and keep the international community informed of continuing needs. FAO, through its Special Relief Operations Service, arranges to buy and deliver agricultural essentials such as seeds, tools, fertilizers, fishing gear and livestock and veterinary supplies to permit immediate resumption of basic food production. The aim is to restore the assets and production levels of the affected communities as soon as possible. Rehabilitation and reconstruction Once emergency relief operations are under way, FAO, upon request, helps governments and financing institutions prepare national rehabilitation and reconstruction plans aimed at restoring agricultural support services (extension, animal health, plant protection and input supplies) and rebuilding essential infrastructure. During implementation of the plans, when the essential agricultural infrastructure is being rebuilt, FAO provides expertise in many areas, for example, rebuilding of fertilizer factories; repair of dams and irrigation systems; resumption of seed production; rebuilding of livestock herds; restoration of marketing infrastructure; repair of environmental damage, including damage to forests and soil quality; restoration of fishing industries; replanting of tree crops; and programmes for the resettlement and reintegration of refugees, the displaced and ex-combatants. Sustainable recovery Once the situation has returned to normal, FAO helps governments formulate food and agricultural development strategies which include the framing of programmes and projects aimed at strengthening the resilience of rural communities against future disasters as part of the development process.
|
