Protecting livelihoods by providing emergency agricultural assistance from the onset of a crisis is crucial to save lives, while enabling people to produce food and earn an income. Rapid and efficient response to agricultural threats and emergencies saves lives, promotes recovery and reduces the gap between dependency on food assistance and self-reliance.

In humanitarian contexts, FAO:

• helps people to anticipate and prepare for crises;
• responds fast to crises;
• and seeks to reduce risks and address vulnerabilities.