Hazard risk preparedness in agriculture: Good practice examples from south and south-east Asia (2007)

Local Agricultural Emergency Preparedness in Caribbean countries highly prone to hurricane related disasters

In the recent past, most Asian countries have greatly improved their capacities to monitor hazards and to warn, evaluate and provide emergency relief to victims. As a result, the number of lives lost to disasters such as floods, storms and extreme temperature has decreased significantly. However, the vulnerability within the agriculture sector has continuously increased due to its high level of exposure.

The global strategy for prevention and control of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian infleunza (2007)

Although there remain serious gaps in knowledge, there has been increased understanding of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) since the panzootic started in late 2003.Experience with various control approaches has allowed refinement of strategies at the global, regional and national levels.

The revised global strategy presented here is based on the experience and lessons learned from the involvement of FAO and OIE in the global control of H5N1 HPAI over the last three years. The revised strategy provides the long-term vision and goals, identifies priorirites and strategic approaches, and proposes short, medium and long-term actions at national, regional and global levels to control and ultimately eradicate the disease.

Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification: Technical Manual Version I (2006)

FSAU has invested considerable energy to improve the rigour of the unit's food security, nutrition, and livelihoods analysis since 1994, and its relevance for decision making. To help meet these goals of rigour and relevance, FSAU has been developing and using a tool called the Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification (IPC) since February 2004. In addition to consistently improving analysis and facilitating effective response in the context of Somalia, there are strong indications that the IPC is relevant on a wider scale, serving as a common currency for food security and humanitarian analysis.

Planning for the Future (2006)

An assessment of food security early warning systems in sub-Saharan Africa

The crippling famines of the 1970s and 1980s in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) prompted the development of national and regional early warning systems (EWS) across the continent. Generally these systems have been effective in alerting countries and donors to impending food crises - largely in the context of seasonal droughts - helping to mitigate adverse impacts. There are however important exceptions which suggest inadequate early warning analysis, together with poor communication and ineffective coordination and response mechanisms, have often contributed to acute food security emergencies that might have been prevented.

In addition, several key emerging issues pose increasing challenges to EWS in SSA, including:

• continued susceptibility of African agriculture to climatic variability and other hazards
• vulnerability of millions of chronically impoverished and malnourished households to a variety of threats
• impacts of economic liberalization and globalization on African households

Home gardens key to improved nutritional well-being (2006)

FAO recognizes that healthy, well-nourished people are both the outcome of successful social and economic development, and constitute an essential input to the development process.

This report provides the account of a pilot project in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The objective was to promote integrated home gardening, including small livestock and aquaculture. Post-project evaluations found increased production of vegetables, fruits, poultry and fish among the targeted households and a decline in the rates of undernutrition in children under five years of age.

Towards effective and sustainable seed relief activities (March 2005)

Seed is a farmer's most essential input, especially in times of crisis. Unfortunately, in recent years there has been an increasing incidence of emergency situations stemming from natural disasters, such as droughts and floods, as well as from civil wars and ethnic conflicts. Seed relief activities aim to contribute to food and livelihood security in such situations by ensuring that farmers, especially vulnerable farmers, have access to seed of adequate quality.

Preparedness for Nuclear Emergencies (2005)

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident highlighted the impact and long-term consequences of a major transboundary release of radioactive material. More effective regulatory mechanisms, training of operators and design modifications have improved the safety of nuclear power plants. Yet there remain continuing safety and security concerns related to the control of radioactive sources.

Despite the level of attention given to this problem since September 2001, many countries still lack programmes, resources and legal frameworks to respond properly to the threat of nuclear and radiological emergencies.

Policies, Practice and Participation in Complex Emergencies: The Case of Livestock Interventions in South Sudan (2005)

This case study describes the importance of livestock as a fundamental livelihoods asset for agropastoral communities in South Sudan, and explains the complex linkages between the ownership and use of livestock, conflict, marketing systems, seasonality and vulnerability.

Preparedness and response to aquatic animal health emergencies in Asia: guidelines (2005)

This document provides guidance to assist developing countries in improving national emergency preparedness in order to maximize the efficiency of response to serious outbreaks of aquatic animal diseases.

This is a product of a joint FAO, Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and WorldFish Center (WFC) Regional Workshop on Preparedness and Response to Aquatic Animal Health Emergencies, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 21 to 23 September 2004.

Report of the Food Security Assessment: West Bank and Gaza Strip (2004)

As requested by the Minister for Agriculture of the Palestinian Authority (PA), FAO, in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), undertook an assessment of the food and nutrition situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS) February through July 2003.

The purpose was to assist the PA and relevant stakeholders to better design, target and implement future development programmes and relief interventions for improving food security and nutrition as well as to provide inputs for the development of a national food security strategy. The mission was co-funded by the European Commission and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The right to adequate food in emergencies (2003)

This study analyses the normative content of the right to adequate food in emergency situations, examining the provisions of human rights law as well as those of other relevant branches of international law, including international humanitarian law, refugee law, criminal law, economic law and environmental law.

Afghanistan: Survey of the horticulture sector (2003)

This report covers the state and condition of orchards, vineyards, nut plantations and vegetable crop production throughout Afghanistan. It is based on a national survey on the state of Afghan horticulture in spring 2003, covering more than 99 percent of representative horticultural areas in the country.

Passport to Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Emergency Programmes (2002)

SEAGA - Socio-Economic and Gender Analysis Programme

Guidelines for Emergency Programmes - Key analytical questions for designing gender-sensitive humanitarian interventions. The purpose of these guidelines is to support humanitarian agencies in mainstreaming a gender perspective in the planning and implementation of emergency programmes through a participatory approach. FAO and WFP jointly prepared this publication.