Profile 6 Disaster

Rationale:

Disasters such as droughts, floods and conflicts are increasing in frequency in Africa. Acute disasters are developing into chronic situations of persistent food and seed insecurity. Although it is generally accepted that disasters occur regularly, there is little forward planning or consultation at national or regional levels. Most African countries currently do not have the necessary capacity to respond to disasters in an effective and sustainable manner. African nations working closely with the FAO, NGOs and donors to respond to disasters already recognize the potential devastation that natural and man made calamities can bring to their agriculture.

Initiatives to respond to the impact of disasters, such as food aid, supply of seeds and tools as part of relief programmes have had only minimal impact on the overall food situation. In addition, repeated provision of food aid and direct distribution of seeds and tool can have negative impact on the agriculture sector, diversity of local crop varieties and local seed production. However the paradigm is shifting and more of a livelihood approach, better assessment and market-based methods are being used to respond to seed insecurity

As a result of the increasing incidence of emergencies, an increasing proportion of the assistance allocated to Africa is invested in relief operations and a much smaller and decreasing proportion to sustainable seed security initiatives to increase sustainable seed supply and improve preparedness. This complex situation must be reviewed and solutions found to ensure adequate investment to improve seed security in a sustainable manner..

In order to address these issues FAO is proposing to work with the AU, regional and national authorities to improve disaster preparedness, seed security assessment, response and rehabilitation. This initiative builds on progress in this area by African countries, NGOs, FAO and donors so that important new approach can be incorporated in to improved approaches to disasters. The development of appropriate seed emergency strategies will also go a long way to minimize costs. And further, donors may well support initiatives which are proactive in preventing seed insecurity or in positioning countries to be more prepared to face them when they occur, and be prepared to invest in such initiatives, in the firm knowledge that ultimately, such initiatives will lead to a reduction in the huge investments donors make in assisting Africa to fight emergencies.

Objective:

The objective of the project is to assist African countries to develop better strategies and programmes to prepare for, assess and respond to emergencies which result in seed insecurity. This will include disaster preparedness, appropriate codes of conduct for seed relief operations during emergencies seed security assessment, response to seed insecurity both immediate response and in the rehabilitation phase

Activities:

Activities will occur at continental, regional, and national level and will comprise studies, expert consultations, formulation of action plans, operational manuals, training assistance to national efforts in programme planning and implementation etc. These activities are summarized as follows:

At national level,

• Provide country specific guidance for improved coordination, disaster preparedness, and response, including a range of disaster responses that integrate the different seed systems that farmers are using (including compilation of relevant information and facilitate access to it).

• Carry out participatory seed system and security assessments (including the seed systems that farmers are using).

• Design and implement national training programmes to strengthen capacity of all stakeholders in disaster planning and response.

• Support national disaster planning and response information system for seed varieties including farmer varieties and proven modern varieties.

• Support seed system profiling/database for disaster planning and response and overall community disaster preparedness.

At regional level,

• Provide guidance at the regional level for disaster preparedness and response, including a range of disaster responses and funding strategies that fully consider the different seed systems that farmers use.

• Support appropriate regional information systems for seed varieties, including farmer varieties and proven modern varieties.

• Support regional seed system profiling/database for preparedness.

• Incorporate seed security assessment into Famine Early Warning Systems.

At continental level,

• Provide guidance at the continental level for disaster preparedness and response, including a range of disaster responses and funding strategies that integrate the different seed systems that farmers use.

Expected Results and Outputs:

The project will assist in positioning African countries to be more prepared to face emergencies which threaten seed security and will generate a good number of strategies in dealing with emergencies when they occur. These are summarized as follows:

• Regional and national arrangements formulated and implemented to enhance effective preparedness and response to disasters affecting seed security

• Enhanced coordination and collaboration at continental level in planning the response to disasters that affect seed security across Africa