Policy responses

In particular, considering the implications of a possible COVID-19 outbreak for FAO and other partners’ operations at all levels, planning will need to take into account different business continuity scenarios and ensure the health, safety and well-being of staff and beneficiaries.

needs and other assessments should be conducted in remote modalities, for example through mobile call data collection or through key informants.

Coordination among agencies should be scaled up through existing IASC mechanisms (WASH, Nutrition, and Food Security Clusters).

All FAO’s interventions will need to be planned in close collaboration with WHO and the public health authorities at country level to ensure they are in line, and are supporting, broader disease containment efforts.

Review and plan to adapt delviery modalites according to different scenarios to account for both the restricted movements of the implementing partners, as well as to avoid risk of contagion among operators and beneficiaries

Pros Accountability and FAO as last provider of last resort agency in the agricultural sector (IASC)

Cons Increased budget for logistics and delivery Limited human resources capacity due to quarantine restrictions Access to beneficiaries Ensuring safety of staff and beneficiaries

Minimum conditions Functional supply chain Access to intervention areas Operational Capacity

Governance Relevant national line ministries Country Humanitarian Response Programme Updated UNCT Food Security / Nutrition Clusters