Why agriculture in emergencies?
Some 75 percent of the poorest people in the developing world depend on agriculture for their way of life. They farm, fish or raise livestock to feed themselves, their families and their communities. It is a precarious existence. During conflict and when a disaster strikes, these people are often the worst affected. Supporting agriculture is therefore an integral part of overall humanitarian assistance.
What is FAO’s role?
In response to emergencies, FAO protects and rebuilds agricultural livelihoods. FAO’s aim is to restore local food production and bolster self-reliance and dignity. This approach provides an exit from food aid and other forms of costly assistance. It reduces the need for harmful coping strategies such as selling assets, forced migration and sex working.
Does FAO work together with other partners?
Within the UN system, FAO is the leader in food security and agriculture. In emergencies, FAO addresses the requirements of these sectors as part of the overall response led by the UN and partners. In concert with other agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), FAO undertakes rapid needs assessments, formulates response strategies and manages agricultural protection and recovery assistance programmes. This complementary approach builds on the particular strengths of each agency, allowing assistance to reach beneficiaries in the most efficient and effective way possible.
What types of assistance does FAO provide?
FAO distributes material assets, including fishing equipment, veterinary medicines, livestock and tools that have been lost and performs repairs to vital agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation systems. FAO also offers more sophisticated assistance such as emergency seed multiplication, training of community animal health workers to save livestock and control diseases that also affect public health, educating HIV/AIDS orphans in farming techniques and other initiatives to foster resilience and improve food security. These programmes build on the knowledge and skills of vulnerable people so that they are better able to cope with future shocks. The goal is to increase self-reliance and lay the foundation for recovery.
FAO is also a trusted source of information on agriculture, food security and nutrition. FAO provides all partners with technical and coordination assistance. This keeps everyone informed about who is doing what and where, resulting in fewer gaps in assistance, less duplication and fewer wasted resources, and more optimal policy, planning and programming decisions.
