FAO in action

Emergency and Humanitarian Matters
Monthly Brief for the Director-General - May 1997

SECTION A - CROP AND FOOD SUPPLY ASSESSMENT MISSIONS OF THE GLOBAL INFORMATION AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM (GIEWS)

SECTION B - SPECIAL RELIEF OPERATIONS SERVICE (TCOR) - STATUS OF OPERATIONS

SECTION C - OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

VACCINATION DRIVE HALTS CATTLE PLAGUE
in Kenya and United Republic of Tanzania

In November 1996, rinderpest, a highly contagious and often fatal livestock disease, was diagnosed among buffalo and eland in Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Afraid that the disease would spread across the border, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania appealed for international assistance to prevent the country from reinfection after it had been free of the disease for 14 years.

In February 1997, at the request of Kenya, FAO, through EMPRES, set up a meeting of veterinary officials and wildlife experts from the two countries to assess the risk of the rinderpest spreading. The risk was judged to be high, aggravated by a drought which caused herders to drive their livestock across borders in search of grazing.
Intensive surveillance and vaccination were undertaken by the veterinary and wildlife teams of the two countries, in close collaboration with specialists from the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the Organization for African Unity. One million emergency vaccinations were delivered in a three-month period. FAO provided consultants and field staff.
By the end of March 1997 the disease in Tanzania had been confined to four districts, while in Kenya infection appears to have been restricted to the area to the south and southeast of Nairobi.
Recently EMPRES has been successfully tackling a variety of animal diseases: examples include eradication of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia from Botswana, and containment of a damaging outbreak of African swine fever in C�te d'Ivoire. EMPRES is helping to develop an effective vaccine against Newcastle disease which has devastating effects on poultry in numerous countries of the world. This vaccine will be introduced as part of a package of sustainable animal health and production practices currently being developed for use by small-scale poultry producers.

Vaccination of cattle against rinderpest in Kenya

EARLY WARNING PREVENTS FAMINE
in drought-stricken southern Africa and Horn of Africa

Drought gripped southern Africa in 1991/92 and 1994/95, seriously decreasing food production on both occasions. In 1991/92, cereal production was reduced by half, leaving subsistence farmers and their families in dire need. Some 18 million people faced starvation. However, effective early warning, rapid regional coordination and adequate international support resulted in a successful relief effort which effectively overcame widespread food shortages and the threat of famine.

As a result of the experience of the 1991/92 crisis, the impact of the 1994/95 drought emergency, while serious, was less devastating. Although the seasonal rains began on schedule in October 1994, allowing planting, the rains soon tapered off to a halt, leaving withered plants in parched fields. FAO's GIEWS and other FAO-assisted national and regional early warning systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) issued their initial warnings of impending drought in December.
In southern Africa, as elsewhere, drought areas are typically isolated and difficult to reach; importing relief food from overseas, often through distant, inadequate ports, takes time. Soon after the first warnings were issued, governments, donors and UN agencies began meeting together to make plans for moving large-scale relief aid into the region should it be necessary.
In January and February 1995, the impending onset of food difficulties as a result of drought-induced crop losses in most countries of the subregion was confirmed. In March and April, FAO and WFP experts arrived to assess the situation. The agencies jointly approved an emergency operation to cover urgent relief needs. FAO issued a special alert, asking the international community for relief assistance. In June, donors reacted to an appeal for help by providing 1 million tonnes of food aid and other assistance. Starvation was averted.
In another region frequently racked by drought, the Horn of Africa, FAO is helping to set up a regional early warning system. The Organization is providing technical assistance and training in risk mapping, remote sensing and early warning analysis for regional staff of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and national staff in its seven member countries. FAO believes most farmers can take precautionary measures to guard against drought; the assistance covers measures to mitigate the impact of drought through better rangeland, water and farming system management and adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties, as well as preparedness plans for the rapid mobilization of relief should disaster strike.

Carrying bags of relief grain for refugees

FIRE FIGHTING
in Turkey and Uganda

When FAO receives an appeal for help against raging forest fires in developing countries, it responds by providing equipment, including communications systems, and technical assistance. FAO also advises countries on strategies to prevent forest fires and lessen their impact. For example, in Turkey forest fires are becoming an increasingly serious problem; they raged over huge coastal areas in 1994 and 1996, culminating in the catastrophic Gelibolu fire. FAO is advising the government on an overall fire prevention and control strategy.

Softwood plantations in Uganda are facing devastating wind-spread bush fires in the 1997 dry season as a result of prolonged drought and unusually high temperatures. Some 2 000 ha of the total 15 000 ha of industrial softwood plantations have already been destroyed, and further damage is expected. FAO is assisting in the development of a fire management strategy and a coordinated approach to fire prevention and suppression.

Fighting forest fire with simple technology

TACKLING THE LOCUST SCOURGE
in the Near East and North Africa

In 1992 the desert locust began to reproduce in great numbers in East Africa. International assistance was immediately requested, and FAO released funds to help fill the gap until donors could respond. Despite the quick reaction, in early 1993 locust swarms crossed the Red Sea, invading Saudi Arabia and Yemen. FAO sent experts to help organize and carry out large-scale aerial control, which was extended to Oman, Pakistan and India as the locusts spread during the summer.

Locust swarms appeared in the Sudan in June 1993 and cut a swath of destruction westwards across the continent. FAO issued warnings and forecasts, but many countries were caught unprepared. Major control operations were carried out in Mauritania, again with FAO funding until donor assistance could be organized. FAO also provided technical assistance to Mali, the Niger, Chad, Senegal, the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as these countries were invaded from the east. As a result, the locust situation in the Sahel area is currently under control. However, in Madagascar, a dangerous infestation - the largest in 40 years - is causing serious damage to crops and vegetation. FAO is coordinating emergency assistance and mobilizing funds to suppress the swarms.

Aerial spraying of a sorghum crop to control locust infestation in Mali

PROMPT RELIEF AVERTS FAMINE
in Democratic People's Republic of Korea

In the first half of the 1990s, economic difficulties and the poor state of agriculture in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea reduced the country's food stocks to almost zero. Consequently, when widespread floods destroyed large crop areas and vital agricultural structures in 1995, a serious food emergency developed. In July 1996 flooding again reduced domestic food production and exacerbated the ongoing emergency. The country was obliged to appeal for international assistance. Furthermore, in June and July 1997 very little rain fell, and a severe drought resulted.

Throughout the emergency FAO has played a crucial role in alerting the international community to the gravity and extent of the disaster and in promoting responses to it. FAO has participated actively in the DHA-led UN consolidated appeals, the issuance of several special alerts and the organization of special donors' consultations and briefings at FAO headquarters in Rome. International response has been considerable; food relief provided so far includes 70 000 tonnes in emergency assistance and 400 000 tonnes in programme assistance.
Under the aegis of the 1997/98 consolidated appeal for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, FAO called for the urgent funding of the most immediate requirements for the agriculture sector, including support to increased cereal and vegetable production through double cropping, the repair and rehabilitation of irrigation systems and the rehabilitation of flood-affected land. In June 1997, FAO appealed on behalf of the government for the urgent supply of fertilizer to boost rice production. FAO is also providing technical assistance for the overall coordination of the emergency agricultural rehabilitation programme.
Donors contributing to the agricultural relief and rehabilitation programme have included: the European Community (EC), Norway, Switzerland, UNDP, Sweden, the Netherlands, World Vision, CARE Norway and FAO's Technical Cooperation Programme. Support to the double-cropping programme launched by the government enabled the introduction of barley and vegetables on 37 000 ha.

Flooding of agricultural areas can cause food emergencies

STORM WARNING SYSTEMS
for Indian fishermen

On the southeastern coast of India, cyclones caused severe damage in October 1994, in November 1995 and in June, October and November 1996. The last of these devastated entire fishing villages, ruined banana and coconut plantations, killed 1 675 fisherfolk, wrecked 2 400 fishing boats and damaged a further 3 000, and led to the loss of thousands of fishing nets and other articles of equipment.

Because of a lack of radio communications, the timely warnings issued by the Indian Meteorological Department reached neither the remote fishing villages of the estuary and mangrove swamps nor the fishing boats at sea. The boats also lacked basic life-saving equipment.
Beginning in two pilot villages, FAO is providing funds for technical advice, training and equipment to ensure the reliable functioning of local systems for receiving and acting on storm warnings, both in fishing villages and at sea, and to develop, test and implement improved safety procedures at sea for small-scale fishing.

Nets of small-scale fishermen are often lost in violent storms

DEFENDING AGAINST HURRICANES
in the Caribbean

In September 1996, the eastern Caribbean suffered the full force of hurricanes Luis and Marilyn. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States asked FAO to send a team to assess the damage and devise projects for rehabilitation in the agricultural and fisheries sectors. The team travelled extensively in the region and drew up a comprehensive programme.

Every year this region is hit by hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions. As a result, in addition to helping the region meet immediate needs, FAO agreed to fund a project to strengthen national and regional prevention and preparedness through technical assistance, equipment and training. The aim is to develop hurricane-resistant farming methods, crops and forestry techniques and to reduce the impact of hurricanes on the fishing industry.

Destruction caused by a Caribbean hurricane

FIGHTING PESTS
in Iraq's no-fly zones

When large areas of Iraq's cereal and date-palm crops were attacked by pests in 1995, an insurmountable problem blocked control efforts: because of UN sanctions established after the war in the Persian Gulf, the country's planes were not allowed to fly over designated zones in the northern and southern parts of the country, so pesticides could not be sprayed on the fields in these areas.

Iraq appealed to FAO, as a neutral third party, to solve the problem and save the crops, which are staples of the Iraqi diet. With funding from several countries and DHA, FAO carried out a complicated emergency relief operation in May and June 1996. The operation involved obtaining approval from the United Nations Sanctions Committee to use non-Iraqi pilots, to import pesticides and to use helicopter spare parts held in storage to maintain the helicopters needed for the spraying.

Date-palm plantations need protection from pests

Some 97 500 ha of cereals and more than 36 000 ha of date plantation were sprayed in the "no-fly" zones. Flying time totalled some 430 hours. The value of crops saved as a result of the aerial spraying was estimated at US$7.3 million. A second spraying campaign, carried out in May and June 1997, resulted in yield increases of wheat and dates estimated to be worth about US$35 million.
In December 1996, the United Nations Sanctions Committee approved an oil-for-food programme allowing Iraq to export oil and import food and agricultural inputs. In the northern part of the country, where the UN is managing imports under the programme, FAO has been charged with the responsibility for assessment of agricultural requirements, procurement of inputs and monitoring of inputs distribution. As of mid-1997, the value of inputs procured and under delivery in the north amounted to US$18 million.

RESTORING PRODUCTION
on Filipino farmers' fields buried by volcanic eruption

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in June 1991 spewed out an estimated 6 600 million cubic metres of volcanic debris, hurling ash up to heights of 20 000 m. Even more destructive than the ash were the mud flows. Together, ash and mud devastated large agricultural areas around the volcano. Roads, bridges and irrigation systems were destroyed, and 40 000 families lost their homes.

Relief and rehabilitation efforts were initially concentrated on provision of new homesteads and livelihood opportunities for displaced families and on repairing essential infrastructure. In this context, an FAO mission helped to assess rehabilitation needs and identified three projects for creating livelihood opportunities - in agriculture, livestock and aquaculture - which were subsequently funded by the Organization. The aquaculture project helped to restore and increase production from fish ponds. Farmers were shown how to make their fish ponds economically viable with modern feed and management techniques.

Aquaculture production offers livelihood opportunities in volcano-affected areas of the Philippines

Removal of the large deposits of ash and mud from agricultural land was time consuming, and the risk of secondary mud flows and flooding continued for some years after the eruption. With the return to normal conditions, in April 1997 FAO mounted an investment programming mission which identified programmes and projects for irrigation rehabilitation and watershed management, land rehabilitation and farming systems development, and income generation and livelihood support as priorities for sustainable recovery in the affected areas. These proposals are now being studied by potential financing institutions.

REBUILDING A NATION
after catastrophe in Rwanda

Rwanda was engulfed by a holocaust in 1994 which resulted in the death of 800 000 people, the flight of more than 2 million into neighbouring countries and the displacement of 380 000 in camps within the country. The conflict threatened to lead to widespread famine.

Since the beginning of the crisis in 1994 several FAO/WFP crop and food supply assessment missions have visited Rwanda. These missions assessed food supply difficulties, evaluated the food and nutritional status of the population and estimated seasonal requirements for cereal imports, including food aid. In addition to the joint FAO/WFP missions, FAO's Special Relief Operations Service fielded several missions to assess the most urgent needs for the agricultural sector. The most recent crop and food supply assessment mission, in June 1997, also undertook the assessment of agricultural input requirements. All the missions took into account the mass movements of Rwandan refugees to and from neighbouring countries and their prospects and needs.

Distribution of vegetable seeds at a refugee centre in Rwanda

Following initial assessment by FAO in 1994 of requirements for the agricultural sector and a series of UN consolidated appeals, FAO obtained funds to start an emergency operation to supply desperately needed agricultural inputs to the rural populations affected by the crisis. The operation has three main components:

• procurement and distribution of seeds and basic agricultural equipment;
• seed multiplication;
• set-up and coordination of a consultation forum of donors and other organizations providing assistance to the agricultural sector.

In the programme's first year of activity, more than 406 000 households in 95 percent of the country benefited. The value of agricultural production resulting from the distribution of seeds and tools was calculated to be about US$11 million.
The emergency operation has grown into a large-scale agricultural relief programme including measures for rehabilitation and reconstruction as well as immediate relief. Donors funding the programme have included the World Bank, IFAD, the EC, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, as well as FAO through its Technical Cooperation Programme and a special mission mounted by the Director-General in December 1996.

RELIEF, REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY
in the Great Lakes region of central Africa

The geographical region surrounding Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika, which includes parts of several countries in central Africa, has been the scene of prolonged civil and ethnic strife for many years. Because of the movements of affected populations across borders throughout the region, it has been necessary to view the crisis from a regional perspective, even though many actions have been taken at the country level. FAO has been active in a number of different and complementary areas, which include:

• regular monitoring of the crop and food supply situation;
• continuous assessment of the agricultural input situation and emergency and immediate rehabilitation needs, and planning to assist the transition from emergency relief to rehabilitation and development;
• implementation of emergency agricultural relief programmes;
• coordination of interventions and provision of technical advice;
• preparation of in-depth studies of agricultural recovery, development options and investment needs, and assistance in government formulation of national food security strategies in line with the World Food Summit Plan of Action.

Technical advice on vegetable planting aids recovery in Burundi

GETTING THINGS TOGETHER AGAIN
in Haiti

In 1991, internal disturbances and the subsequent international embargo brought Haiti's already fragile economy to its knees. All major international assistance programmes came to a halt. Lack of imported fertilizers, seeds, spare parts for agricultural machinery and other essential inputs led to a widespread breakdown of agricultural services and food production.

From 1992 to 1994 FAO obtained substantial contributions from two major food aid donors - Canada and the EC - for emergency assistance to destitute Haitian farmers. The money was used to implement a series of agricultural relief and early recovery projects to supply bean, maize and sorghum seeds as well as hand tools and other inputs, and to restore input supply services. A special effort was made to boost local seed production by farmers' organizations and commercial farms. This effort led to the building up of a national seed industry. In addition, a network of community-owned retail shops was set up, enabling farmers to access basic inputs at reasonable prices.
An independent evaluation of these projects concluded that they have provided the basis for an exemplary evolution in food aid from relief to genuine recovery.
In December 1994, soon after the new government took office, an FAO mission visited Haiti to assess basic agricultural rehabilitation and reconstruction needs. Its main proposals concerned irrigation: rehabilitation of existing works and improvements to small and medium-sized schemes. Other proposals covered watershed management, rural infrastructure and fisheries. Several donors and financing institutions expressed interest, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IFAD, UNDP, the EC and France. FAO was asked to prepare an irrigation project for IDB and a project for intensified crop development for IFAD. Both have been prepared and financing approval is expected shortly.

Farmers' meeting on organization of seed shops and agricultural input stores in Haiti

BOOSTING RICE PRODUCTION
in Cambodia

After the Paris peace agreements of October 1991, which followed two decades of conflict, Cambodia had to cope with 385 000 returnees from Thailand, 190 000 internally displaced persons and 40 000 people maimed by land-mines. Security problems persisted, with 10 to 15 percent of the country controlled by the Khmer Rouge and more than 5 million land-mines still in place. Agriculture was providing around half of a per caput gross domestic product (GDP) of less than US$200.

A Cambodian extension officer compares rice plants grown using
two different nutrient treatments under an FAO project to optimize use of donated fertilizer

Ninety percent of farmland in Cambodia is devoted to rice. Fertilizers are essential to maintain and increase production. From 1991 to 1996, FAO implemented six fertilizer emergency aid projects with funds from the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany. The projects involved the distribution of more than 61 000 tonnes of fertilizer, representing about two-thirds of the total quantity of fertilizer officially imported into the country during the period. FAO also assisted in rebuilding the entry port's logistic capacities to handle large quantities of fertilizer; in training more than 150 extension workers and 35 000 farmers; and in providing equipment for the national soil laboratory. From 1992 to 1996 the projects increased paddy production by a total of more than 500 000 tonnes (equivalent to 300 000 tonnes of milled rice), reducing food aid needs accordingly.

SEEDS FOR FARMERS
in Bosnia and Herzegovina

When war disrupts agriculture, people go hungry. This is what happened in large parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where, by the end of 1993, the breakdown of markets and the supply system for seed, fertilizer and insecticides was almost total. To provide for the minimal needs of war-affected farmers for the 1995 autumn planting season, it was estimated that more than US$11 million were needed for seed, fertilizer and crop protection chemicals.

FAO provided about 1 100 tonnes of winter wheat seed to farmers in the most destitute area, the former Bihac pocket. The seed was taken into Bihac and distributed on UNHCR trucks, with the help of the Lutheran World Service and Bangladeshi peacekeeping troops.

A farmer harvesting wheat raised with seed provided by
the FAO Emergency Programme for Bosnia and Herzogovina

In September 1995, the Netherlands and UNHCR agreed to contribute, respectively, US$2.2 million and US$1.3 million to support the relief programme, in partial response to a consolidated appeal for US$11 million. About 6 700 tonnes of winter wheat seed were ordered and transported into Bosnia and Herzogovina, along with needed fertilizer. The relief operation provided 90 percent of the emergency wheat seed requirements identified by FAO for the 1995 autumn planting. This seed yielded about 63 000 tonnes of wheat for a hungry population.
Agricultural relief and early recovery activities continued in 1996 and 1997.

REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION
in the aftermath of war in Afghanistan

One of the most serious consequences of 18 years of civil war in Afghanistan has been disruption of agriculture and a sharp decline in food production. FAO, supported by funding from UNDP and other donors and with the support of NGOs active in the country, has been helping to restore sustainable agricultural production through a programme for integrated crop and livestock production.

The programme combines several separate earlier projects involving agronomy, seed production, crop improvement, horticulture and plant protection, as well as support for apiculture and sericulture. The programme functions as an extension service, setting up farmers' field schools in some 80 districts in the country's main production areas. Technical information is transferred to farmers at village level through demonstration and training, with farmers selected from within the community taking the lead.
In only two years the programme has achieved a great deal. For example, in 1995/96, 17 000 tonnes of quality seed - mainly wheat but also rice, maize, barley, pulses and cotton - were produced and distributed by a countrywide network of supervised locally contracted seed growers, set up under the programme. Crop improvement is also being pursued through selection, testing and multiplication of disease-resistant varieties. In 1996 the programme established 66 new private fruit-tree nurseries in 19 provinces; a further 97 are to be established in 1997.

Technicians weeding seedlings at an FAO-supported fruit-tree nursery in Afghanistan

Another important area of activity has been restoration of animal health services. Afghans traditionally depend on livestock as an important source of food and income, but animal production had suffered during the war when veterinary services collapsed. Beginning in 1992, FAO has worked with other international organizations and NGOs to establish community-based veterinary field units in 219 of Afghanistan's 325 districts. The field units are staffed by more than 2 000 Afghan animal health workers. A survey conducted in seven districts after three years of operation showed that livestock mortality had been reduced by 22 to 60 percent. The financial benefit from decreased mortality averaged US$120 000 per district.