Rwanda: Food Security

Transcription

1 Rwanda: Food Security Appeal no: 12/98 (revised) 15 July 1998 THIS APPEAL SEEKS CHF 810,000 IN CASH, KIND AND SERVICES TO ASSIST 35,000 BENEFICIARIES FOR 5 MONTHS Summary For the last several years the Prefecture of Gikongoro, situated in the South West of Rwanda has suffered chronic food shortages. The land is inherently difficult to farm, with high acidity levels in the soil and low use of fertiliser or other agricultural aids. The 400,000 people in the region are extremely poor and unable to upgrade their farming methods to cope with the challenges posed. The Government of Rwanda launched an appeal in October of 1997 for food support, identifying Gikongoro as one of the most needy regions. In February a Federation/Rwandan Red Cross Society assessment mission found visible evidence of serious malnutrition among children and adults. To counter this, the Federation launched an Appeal at the end of March 1998, which to date has attracted insufficient donor support, necessitating a revision to allow the agricultural element of the programme to proceed on time. If seeds are not in the ground by September, the opportunity to assist 35,000 of Rwanda's most vulnerable with a sustainable aid programme will have been lost. The beneficiaries are in the rural communes of Mudasowa, Musebya, Muko and Musange, and will receive 429 MT of seeds, 600,000 cuttings, appropriate farm implements, fertilisers and soil dressing products, and 284 MT of foodstuffs. The primary objective of the operation is to contribute to greater food security in the affected communes. Seed distribution will be the first step towards reconstituting the available seed stock for farmers in the area. Thus, although the operation features a once-off distribution, its effects will have a positive impact in future planting seasons. The Disaster At the end of 1996 Gikongoro Prefecture was struck by severe drought conditions which continued in 1997 until rains arrived in October. Unfortunately the rains came on too strongly and the resultant flooding washed away recent plantings of beans and sweet potatoes, forcing families to eat their seed stocks to survive. Numerous factors conspired to reduce food production across the country and drive the prices of staple foods even higher. Production is still not back to 1990 levels, while insecurity in the

2 appeal no. 12/98 (revised) 1 Northwest, Rwanda's most fertile region, has greatly reduced the amount of land under cultivation. People are fleeing the area and hectares of farming land beside roads have been cleared to deny cover to paramilitary groups. Food prices rose dramatically in 1997, doubling for beans and increasing ten fold for sweet potatoes. The lack of food has devastated the 13 communes of the prefecture and a FAO/WFP report conducted in February estimates 70% of the households in Gikongoro are in need of aid. People weakened by hunger are proving more vulnerable to malaria and as food crops dwindle, people have less cash to buy medicine to fight the disease, allowing it to make a virulent resurgence. The Response so far Government Action w The Government of Rwanda has announced a food deficit of 82,000 MT, confirmed by WFP in a press statement in mid-march. The Prefect of Gikongoro appealed to the Rwandan Red Cross Society (RRCS) and the Federation to assist in his prefecture. Red Cross/Red Crescent Action w RRCS/Federation have carried out two assessment missions to the region. In February the mission included an Agronomist, the Federation Senior Desk Officer and Senior Relief Officer. In the intervening months the Delegation and the RRCS re-evaluated the original Appeal, made several field visits to talk with community leaders, and have revised the original Appeal into a more focused and feasible effort. Negotiations are ongoing with WFP to provide foodstuffs on a food for work basis for the seed protection element of the project. Other Agencies Action w In 1997 WFP, in co-operation with the government, distributed six monthly rations to over 500,000 people. In the first half of 1998 they hope to distribute to over 600,000 but may be unable to reach that target due to supply and logistics constraints. Over the next month WFP will carry out a food distribution of 500 MT in the Gikongoro Prefecture, through the offices of the local bourgemeisters. World Vision has been implementing agricultural projects in the Gikongoro Prefecture for several years, though not in the communes targeted by this Appeal. Co-ordination w The project will be co-ordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, RRCS and the Federation Delegation in consultation with the WFP office in Kigali. The Delegation and the RRCS are consulting with World Vision to avoid duplication of effort. World Vision will also provide advice on the types of seeds needed and potential sources of purchase. An FAO Agronomist has been hired as an advisor to the Delegation /RRCS and is providing agricultural expertise. The Intended Operation Assessment of Needs The findings of the RRCS/Federation assessment are supported by the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Report issued on February 16. Insufficient food production, late rains followed by flooding and high malnutrition rates all point to the need for quick intervention. In June, the Head of the RRCS Relief Department returned to the target communes to reassess the needs in anticipation of the current revision. Her recommendations include focusing on only

3 appeal no. 12/98 (revised) 2 the most needy in the communes i.e. 30 % of the affected families. Her discussions with local farmers led to a change in the type of seeds and cuttings to be provided. In high altitudes potatoes were the most requested items. As September is not the planting season for wheat, these seeds have been eliminated from the appeal. Garden vegetables (tomatoes, cabbage, aubergines, carrots, etc.) have also been added after discussions with the beneficiaries. The addition of potatoes has meant that the amount of fertiliser and pesticide provided will be increased substantially from the amount requested in the original appeal. In consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO/Rwanda, the following criteria have been established for beneficiary identification: Farmers registered with Ministry for Agriculture as having a poor harvest in the preceding planting season; Farmers who failed to plant in the preceding season; Recently repatriated farmers attempting to re-establish their farms; Farmers recently regrouped onto new land; Households managed solely by women with no other source of income. People unable to manage their land will be assisted by neighbours willing to work the land in return for payment from the resulting crop. Immediate Needs Initial response to the Appeal has been strong but insufficient. The immediate need is for cash to purchase the required seeds, fertiliser and farm implements. Anticipated Later Needs The food for seed protection must arrive at the same time as the planned distribution of seeds in order to assure that 100 % are planted. The seed distribution will take place as close as possible to the start of the planting season (early September). Red Cross Objectives { To contribute to food security for 35,000 people in Gikongoro Prefecture; { To rebuild the available seed stock in the communes through seed multiplication; { To support, improve and help to stabilise agricultural production in the area; { To train RRCS volunteers in the Prefecture in disaster response and agricultural assistance; { To reduce ethnic tensions in the country by reducing competition for food resources. { In conjunction with Rwandan Red Cross Community Based First Aid programme to reduce susceptibility to malaria through public education on preventative and curative health measures. National Society/Federation Plan of Action Phase One: July - August 1998

4 appeal no. 12/98 (revised) 3 Raise sufficient funds for the start of the operation. Purchase seeds, fertiliser, pesticide and farm implements. Train RRCS leaders and volunteers from the Gikongoro Prefecture Phase Two: September 1998 Distribute seeds and farm implements and food as seed protection. Agronomist from FAO will advise farmers' groups on planting and generating seed stock for the next planting season. Monitoring will be carried out under the supervision of the Secretary General of the RRCS. Daily reports will be issued to the Federation Delegation. Phase Three: October-December 1998 Crop progress will be monitored. The agronomist will advise farmers' organisations on crop maintenance. A final report will be issued on the impact of the programme with recommendations for action in following seasons. Capacity of the National Society RRCS was commended for its assistance to refugees returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania at the end of Its Community Based First Aid (CBFA) programme has 360 volunteers in place, qualified to carry out health education. In the past few months it has assumed camp management responsibilities in Mudende and Byumbu, and it has sufficient numbers of volunteers at headquarters and prefecture level to assist with this programme. Its logistics department, with the support of the Federation Delegation, will handle logistical needs and a consultant agricultural engineer working with FAO will provide technical support. Capacity will be augmented by training in Federation distribution and reporting procedures. Present Capacity of the Federation in Rwanda The Federation Delegation numbers 15 delegates, and agricultural expertise will be brought in on a short term basis as mentioned. The Head of Delegation and the Finance Delegate will assist in the areas of management reporting and financial administration. The Federation Logistics delegate will co-ordinate the logistics effort. Since the launch of the original appeal, the Delegation has been strengthened by the addition of a Disaster Prevention and Preparation Delegate who is experienced in relief distributions and will provide training and support for the operation. The CBFA Delegate is ready to initiate health education in the prefecture. The Regional Relief Co-ordinator from Nairobi will be called upon for technical support and advice. The Regional Information Delegate will provide a flow of information and media coverage. The Regional Logistics Centre in Nairobi will provide extra logistics support. Evaluation RRCS and the Federation Delegation will monitor the distributions. Evaluations will take place and reports will be issued at the end of each phase of the operation, in September and December. Budget summary See Annex 1 for details. Conclusion The security situation in the four communes is a particular concern of the Delegation. Though calm for the most part, they are close to the Nyungwe Forest which is a very insecure area

5 appeal no. 12/98 (revised) 4 making it unlikely that the distributions can be carried out in the presence of Federation Delegates. At best, only limited monitoring by Delegates will be possible, giving the RRCS leadership and volunteers responsibility for reporting on their activities in an accurate, timely and transparent manner. The Secretary General and his Deputy will be charged with ensuring that distributions are carried out according Federation procedures and donor requirements. The Delegation will assist by examining all distribution reports on a daily basis and providing support and advice as the programme is implemented. An FAO Agronomist will be contracted not only to supply advice to the operation but also to provide an independent evaluation of the intervention and its impact. For the appeal to achieve its goals, an immediate response in cash or kind is required. Currently 18 % of the needs have been covered through contributions and pledges. Much of the remaining amount must be pledged before the end of July if the operation is to proceed as planned. For more information, please contact Mark Willis, Desk Officer on ( willis@ifrc.org). Margareta Wahlström Under Secretary General, Disaster Response & Operations Coordination George Weber Secretary General

6 appeal no. 12/98 (revised) 5 BUDGET SUMMARY APPEAL No. 12/98 (revised) IN CHF ANNEX 1 NEEDS IN KIND (OR CASH) Relief Supplies Maize (170 MT) Beans (102 MT) Oil (12 MT) Potato Seeds (253 MT) Bean Seeds (12 MT) Manioc Cuttings (240,000 pc.) Sweet Potato Cuttings (360,000 pc.) Maize Seeds (8.5 MT) Garden Vegetable Seeds Lime (250 MT) Fertilizer (116 MT) Farm Implements TOTAL NEEDS IN CASH OR KIND Transport and Storage Personnel (local staff) Information Administration Secratariat costs TOTAL NEEDS IN CASH TOTAL APPEAL CASH & KIND LESS CASH ON HAND (Pledges received) 130' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' TOTAL AMOUNT SOUGHT 612'000.00

7 appeal no. 12/98 (revised) 6 RWANDA - FOOD SECURITY ANNEX 1 APPEAL No. 12/98 PLEDGES RECEIVED 15/07/98 DONOR CATEGORY QUANTITY UNIT VALUE CHF DATE COMMENT CASH REQUESTED IN APPEAL > 810,000 AUSTRALIAN - RC 4,802 05/05/98 MONACO - RC 40,000 FRF 9,924 04/06/98 ICELANDIC - RC 200,000 ISK 4,152 21/04/98 ITALIAN - RC 50,000,000 ITL 41,700 26/05/98 JAPANESE - RC 3,200,000 JPY 35,386 15/06/98 LICHTENSTEIN - RC 10,000 15/06/98 AMERICAN - RC 25,000 USD 36,875 12/06/98 SWEDISH - RC/GOVT 300,000 SEK 56,070 12/07/98 Part of the Great Lakes pledge SUB/TOTAL RECEIVED IN CASH 198,908 CHF KIND AND SERVICES (INCL. PERSONNEL) DONOR CATEGORY QUANTITY UNIT VALUE CHF DATE COMMENT SUB/TOTAL RECEIVED IN KIND/SERVICES 0 CHF NOT REQUESTED IN APPEAL DONOR CATEGORY QUANTITY UNIT VALUE CHF DATE COMMENT SUB/TOTAL RECEIVED 0 CHF