Niger: Food insecurity

Transcription

1 Niger: Food insecurity Emergency appeal n MDRNE005 GLIDE n OT NER 18 March, 2010 This Emergency Appeal seeks CHF 986,862 (USD 932,409 or EUR 677,278) in cash, kind, or services to support the Red Cross Society of Niger to assist 300,000 beneficiaries for 9 months. This operation is expected to be implemented over 9 months, and will therefore be completed by December, 2010; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by March, 2011). This Appeal aims to mitigate the impact of the food shortage due to last year s limited harvest. This food shortage is affecting about half of the population (7.8 million) of Niger. The Appeal is being launched to respond to an international plea from the A Red Cross supported Graham bank in Zinder Niger Government and a request from the Red Cross Society of Niger (RCSN) to the International Federation to support sectors of food security and nutrition for about 300,000 people with various activities including cash for work, water harvesting and environmental protection actions, seeds and food distribution, and support to nutrition centres. CHF 229,046 (USD 212,828 or EUR 156,142) was allocated from the Federation s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support this operation. Unearmarked funds to replenish DREF are encouraged. <click here to view the attached Emergency Appeal Budget; here to link to a map of the affected area; or here to view contact details> The situation Rains have been irregular, late and have stopped earlier in Eastern Sahel countries. The annual harvest statistics of Niger show that many departments are going through a deficit in the production of cereals. Alerted by these results, a rapid assessment was done by the government of Niger in mid-december revealing that by the end of January already more than half of the rural households will have no cereals in stock. Region Department Population deficit in cereal production very vulnerable > 35 % very + moderate vulnerable > 50 % very + moderate vulnerable Agadez all Outside of survey representatives

2 Diffa all Maina Soroa All departments 328,781 Dosso Dosso C none Gaya 183,199 Maradi Dakoro, Maradi C Tessaoua, Aguie, Dakoro, 1,216,927 Guidan Roumdji, Tessaoua Tahoua Illéla, Tchintabaraden, Illela, Tchintabaraden, all departments 1,983,452 Abalak, Tahoua CU Abalak, Tahoua, Keita Tillaberi Filingué, Ouallam, Tera, none Tillaberi, Filingué, 761,377 Tillabery dep. et CU Oualam Zinder Mirriah, Tanout, Zinder All departments 1,707,695 CU Niamey all Periphery 14,168 Total Departments focused with > 50 % very and moderate vulnerable 6,195,599 Total at National level 7,772,373 The household assessment conducted by the government has demonstrated that more than half of the population have no cereals left in stock. The most affected regions are Diffa (328,781 people), Zinder (1,707,695) and Tahoua (1,983,452). All departments in these regions are concerned and more than half of the rural population have exhausted their stock since end of January For this assessment, the applied criteria for vulnerability at household level are: the level of coping mechanisms available to or applied by the households; the remaining harvested cereals in storage and the time it will take to be completely used; and the number of heads of livestock belonging to the households. In the second week of March, the government provided the preliminary list of the most vulnerable zones (rural municipalities and number of villages). The criteria of vulnerability at communal level are deficit of cereal and/or pastoral production at village level. By crossing the findings for households and village level, the numbers of most vulnerable and moderate vulnerable people at communal level that the Red Cross can support have been identified. These numbers will be subject to monitoring based on further assessments and as the situation unfolds. Description of the agricultural sector in Niger According to the household survey carried out by Save the Children in 2009, the main result concerns the socio-economic groups: 33% to 36% of richest households make up of 45% to 49% of the population and own 62% to 72% of the cultivated land. Therefore a rapid and strong reinforcement of the rural poor is important to avoid the acceleration of a process which creates many landless rural poor population obliged to migrate to towns or work as land labourers. The landless population is more vulnerable in years of bad harvest due to salary decrease as the offer for labour increases. Cash for work is a very good means to stabilize the labour market. Compared to 2005, the RCSN has better equipped branches, more trained volunteers and more technical staff at headquarters. The continual support by Participating National Societies (PNS) and the Federation since 2005 has mainly improved technical competences. Coordination and partnerships To facilitate the coordination role of the International Federation, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement meetings on the food security situation in Niger are taking place to analyse interventions made so far with regularly updates of the declared intentions of all partners. The table below maps PNS represented in the Niger and what they intend to do. Who? Where? What? ICRC Qatar Red Crescent French Red Cross Tillaberi: Ouallam, Filingué Agadez: Iferouane, Gougarame, Tchiro, Dabaga, Tillaberi; Niamey periphery Agadez Zinder (functioning office); Agadez (functioning office); Agricultural production support: tools, seeds, food distribution. Food security, nutrition and water and sanitation. Nutrition in 24 Integrated Health Centres (CSI) (14 in Tanout, 8 in Maga, and 2 in Zinder urban 2

3 Irish Red Cross Spanish Red Cross International Federation Niamey (functioning office) Niamey and Zinder (functioning office) field activities in Tanout Tahoua: Illela and Tahoua urban city and department Maradi Diffa (ECHO) (flight ICRC); Tahoua with SRC (ECHO); Zinder (except Tanout); Tillabery (offer from Qatar Red Crescent) area), extension on nutrition, cash for work, distribution of seeds, training on agricultural issues; Whole region, 35 CSI, cash for work, sand removal, arrangement of Koris, rehabilitation of wells, 10 CSI. Food security, emergency response; Cash for work, agricultural production support, subsidies, selling; 44 Graham banks, 250 tons of cereals from WFP; 25 water points, seed distribution; Extension of the zone of intervention to Tanout; Office space available and guest house in both Niamey and Zinder (possibilities to host RCRC/Federation delegates). Emergency: nutrition ECHO proposal for Maradi and Tahoua in preparation; 4-year agricultural production support for women, income generating activities (IGA), 21 villages, 50 groups, cash for work, food for training (literacy); Promotion of agricultural production by women. Cash for work, nutrition, distribution, seeds, Graham bank support. Bilateral coordination is continuing on a daily basis. The Government CCA (cellule de crise alimentaire) of the Early Warning System (SAP, Système d Alerte Précoce) is coordinating national and internal NGO interventions according to the plan of support given by the Government. The coordination of UN agencies is facilitated by the FAO Food Security Cluster meetings in Niamey. Security issues in Tahoua, Tillabery, Zinder and Agadez are monitored by the ICRC. OCHA is coordinating actions pertaining to nutrition. Red Cross and Red Crescent action The International Federation and the PNS participated to the assessment mission and coordination meetings held by the Government asking for support to implement its plan to face the food crisis. The International Federation and the RCSN have started discussions for coordinated interventions with World Food Programme (WFP), FAO and the Movement partners. The needs Beneficiary Selection: The plans are to assist 300,000 people in 120 villages in Diffa, Zinder and Tahoua out of the 7.7 million people affected by food insecurity. The following needs have been identified by the food crisis coordination unit: 1. Funds to support activities of high labour intensity as cash for work for the: Implementation of anti erosion measures; Rehabilitation of existing water harvesting and anti-erosion infrastructures; Erosion protection of river/wadi banks and trees; sand filling protection of lakes and ponds; stone lines; forest and pasture micro-catchments, agricultural micro-catchments, reforesting (dry fruit trees); fixation of dunes); 2. Support to Graham banks in collaboration with WFP; 3. Support communities with seeds for early recovery; 4. Support WFP in general food distribution, supplementary feeding during the growing season; 3

4 5. Assistance on cereal selling under market price; 6. Support to nutrition centres: identification/detection, Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), human resources, logistics, extension of key messages, supplementary food; 7. Supplementary food for animal food banks (like bran of wheat, cotton grain, mineral and multivitamin blocs). In the mid-term, early recovery and restoring livelihood conditions are needed. Therefore the following needs are identified as medium term interventions: Seeds of improved varieties of cereals and beans for the coming seasons for the most vulnerable. Improved seeds are produced in the different regions of Niger by certificated farmers. As they are slightly more expensive than traditional varieties, most vulnerable farmers do not have access without donation or subsidies. Extension of the intensification of pasture production (seeding micro-catchments with herbaceous pasture). In Niger the animal husbandry suffers for the second year due to insufficient fodder production. The intensification of the pasture production can increase the availability as straw is already very much commercialized and transport costs are very high in an immense country like Niger. Extension of diversification of agricultural production in varieties, species and time saving: rain feed crops of different cycle length, different off-season crops, and exploitation of high water level of the river Niger from November to February. The growing of cereals of different vegetation cycle length is more adapted to the high variability of rainy season period in the Sahelian countries. The extension of a production system relying on several varieties and species is less risky, but demands higher knowledge and resource needed, as some fields will be seeded with less success. At least a part of the fields will have good yields. With the river Niger well filled from November to February, it will allow the opportunity for irrigated farming after the rainy season. Vegetable farming is labour intensive and can, for example, even absorb landless labourers. Extension of poultry farming for egg production at household level: to avoid semi-industrialized production since it takes into account food meant to feed people. Poultry should be promoted only on small scale. No supplementary feed to poultry is required. Eggs constitute a good protein enrichment to family meals in remote areas, where slaughtering is reserved to festivity since the conservation of meat is not common. The Diffa Red Cross branch needs special support as it has just obtained a new building from ICRC that lacks equipment and furniture. Longer-term needs: Improve the household agricultural production to a level of food self-sufficiency: a support to the farmers in the area where the water power plant and irrigation dam with its network is under construction could be a good option; water harvesting measures along seasonal rivers (wadis) increase the groundwater level and the agricultural production and reduce temporary migration. This kind of projects lasts between 5 to 10 years. Niger has good experience in some valleys in Tahoua Region. Reinforce the knowledge of processing and conservation of animal products like meat and milk: the country is known for its dried meat production and local cheese production in some villages. So far the depletion of animals is mainly due to their selling in Nigeria. The added value for Niger would be higher if the animal products were processed in the country. Update the Strategic plan of the NS. The existing one covers These needs are based on the current situation and the evolution is being closely monitored. This monitoring may require a programme revision. The Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement response will lead to a coordinated response with partners so as to reduce the impact of food insecurity. The proposed operation The peak of the food shortage in normal years is June. This year, the coping mechanisms of the population have been activated much earlier. The planned activities aim to mitigate the effects of the early food shortage and support early community resilience to face and mitigate related impact. Early interventions to 4

5 support community coping mechanisms will protect and avoid that the targeted beneficiaries fall under the absolute humanitarian threshold which would make recovery more difficult and longer. The plan of action will focus on three strategic areas: Carry out cash for work activities to increase the resilience of the most vulnerable and enable them to face food insecurity; Distribute food and seeds/plants in collaboration with partners to start in the best possible conditions the next farming seasons to ensure early recovery; Contribute to supporting health centres to provide appropriate nutritional services to the affected communities. The technical and causal relations are as follow: Mitigating the effects of insufficient agricultural production and increased community resilience. In other words, while providing cash to vulnerable people, they provide manpower. This manpower is used for agricultural and environmental measures to stabilize or increase agro-forestrypastoral production for the coming seasons by following the Communal Development Plans of the concerned rural municipalities. In case the needs for cash for work are higher than the communal plans, these plans will be supplemented by labor-intensive activities. Providing cereals to Graham banks allows vulnerable people to buy cereals at appropriate prices, with the cash they have got. As a result, the farmers have food to eat and the account of the Graham bank is filled a system that is benefiting for everyone. Improving their agricultural production: with techniques to reduce the period of food shortage for the coming growing season and with higher yields. During the growing season, farmers can not get involved in the cash for work programme; therefore food distribution will be needed. The extension of improved seeds will increase the amount of cereals harvested. At the end of the season, the villagers should be more resilient and better off, with a well-stocked account in the Graham bank; a better harvest due to improved environmental conditions and improved quality seeds. In urban areas, the promotion of replanted maize allows an early harvest, which will reduce the period of food shortage. The number of beneficiaries varies according to the results. The average size of villages provides 300,000 beneficiaries for the activities for the 120 villages, like for seed distribution and the cereal donations for Graham banks. The cash for work is one of the first activities, but it will not cover all 120 villages, therefore 15 villages have been selected based on logistic criteria like distance and according to the environmental needs like protection need against dune movement. General objective: To assure the survival of vulnerable people until the next harvest in 2010 with a focus on areas of intervention covered by the RCSN. Specific objective: To contribute to reducing the effects of food insecurity of vulnerable people through increasing agricultural production stability by implementing environmental measures, feeding, increased production and nutrition. Food deficit mitigation Objective: Ensure increased community resilience and improvement of agriculture production environment through cash for work and seed distribution in Diffa, Zinder and Tahoua Regions. Expected results Activities planned 5

6 Cash for work in 15 villages (1,500 persons for 40 days each) 120 villages have received cereal donations to Graham banks (in partnership with WFP) to have cereals to sell at village level and to fill their account (10 tons for the new ones and 5 tons for existing banks) The most vulnerable 40 households in the 120 villages have received improved seeds (15 kg) for the forthcoming seasons. During the cropping season the most vulnerable families of 120 villages have received general food distribution of supplementary feeding. Replanted maize (in coordination with FAO) is promoted in urban areas. Out of the 120villages, 10 are identified for long term interventions. Identify 15 villages for cash for work in collaboration with authorities and technical services of Niger; Identify areas that need anti-erosion and water harvesting measures according to the communal development plan to improve agricultural production; Train volunteers, foremen and supervisors; Equip villages with soil working tools; Implement and supervise cash for work activities; Coordinate with CILSS for the most appropriate species to plant Monitor and evaluate cash for work actions and their impact on the harvest; Evaluate cash for work impact on beneficiaries. Elaborate and finalize the agreement with WFP; Identify villages with Graham banks that need to be reinforced in the zone of intervention; Assist in the creation of Graham Banks in the zones of intervention; Organize training/refreshing sessions for the management committee of the Graham Banks; Select the existing Graham banks to reinforce; Provide cereals with the support of the WFP; Carry out monitoring and evaluation activities of the cereal management by the Graham bank. Provision of improved seeds to 4,800 families and to certificated seed producers in collaboration with FAO; Identification of the 40 most vulnerable families in the 120 villages; Implementation of a mechanism to distribute seeds (training of volunteers); Identification of certificated improved seed producers; Extension and training on the use of seeds of improved varieties; Monitoring and evaluation of distribution activities. Identify most vulnerable households; Sign an agreement with WFP; Train volunteers on distribution techniques; Distribute food to households; Monitor and evaluate the distribution. Identification of short cycle maize; Identification of households with cropping potential in towns; Training volunteers on replanted maize; Extension of replanted maize; Test plots of replanted maize; Monitoring and evaluation of replanted maize activities. Conduct assessments for long-term support needs; Identify the most vulnerable villages with the highest potential in agricultural production increase through long term food security intervention; Write a concept note on a long term food security project for the 10 villages. Emergency health Objective: To improve the nutritional status of children under 5 and pregnant and breast feeding women. Expected results Activities planned Assist in the detection of Training for 60 volunteers on malnutrition detection, delivery of malnourished children under 5 messages on nutrition and health; 6

7 and pregnant and breast feeding women and their orientation to reference centres. Extension of key messages: best practices about nutrition and their proper use; detection of malnourished children and pregnant and breast feeding women; use of ORS; and hygiene promotion; Monitoring and evaluation of the activities at regional, national and international levels. Once the most hygiene and water-vulnerable villages are known and development donors are identified, a water and sanitation project proposal will be elaborated within some of the 120 targeted villages. Coordination Objective: To ensure a good coordination of the intervention within the movement and among external partners. Expected results Activities planned The intervention is coordinated Movement meetings are organized in Niger and in the region; within the movement and Joint applications are submitted to ECHO and other donors; among external partners Keeping coordination table updated; Develop an exit strategy. Communications Advocacy and Public information The steady flow of timely and accurate information between those working in the field and other major stakeholders will support the programme objectives of this emergency appeal, increase the profile, funding and other support for the National Society and the IFRC, and provide a platform for advocacy in the interest of vulnerable populations. In close collaboration with the operation s managers, the affected population will be provided with information to support their relief and recovery. Donors and National Societies will receive information and materials they can use to promote this operation and communications initiatives will help to build the information and public relations capacity of the host National Society for future emergencies. Expected results The profile and position of the Niger RC and the IFRC are enhanced leading to increased availability of funds and other resources to support this operation and future emergency situations. Existing and potential donors, NS and other partners receive and utilize high quality communications materials and tools they need to raise funds and build awareness for this emergency. The communications and media relations capacity of the host National Society is increased prior the next major disaster to impact communities. Activities planned News releases, fact sheets are immediately developed and qualified spokespeople are designated and made available to media and key stakeholders. Video and photographs are made available as soon as the operation starts. Direct outreach will be coordinated with the host national society and conducted with national and international media. The launch of this appeal and other major milestones throughout the operation will be supported with peoplecentred, community level diverse content, including webstories, video footage (B-roll and 6 min video) and photos with extended captions will be posted to Federation public website and shared with other global humanitarian web portals and international media. An IFRC communications officer will be deployed to the affected region to coordinate, gather and disseminate communications materials; liaise with and support the host National Society; and act as spokesperson/media relations focal point for international media. A communications tool-kit will be developed and distributed to key stakeholders that includes news releases, key messages, talking points, reactive lines addressing existing and potential risks to reputation, beneficiary profiles, photos, extended captions and access to video footage for use in the partners domestic markets. The RCSN staff and IFRC communications focal points will jointly plan and implement IFRC supported field missions to collect required information for the tools listed above. The IFRC will facilitate training and practical experience for Niger RC staff in domestic and international media relations, 7

8 Capacity of the National Society photo and video production, global information transfer (via ftp servers and other tools), and in the use of new media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. The Red Cross Society of Niger has demonstrated its experience in disaster management during the last flooding. In collaboration with Qatar Red Crescent Society, a water and sanitation team is well installed and is working on watsan projects since Two pilot projects in food security are ongoing in Niger. During the Sahel operation in 2005/2006 and during the recent floods operation in Agadez, RCSN volunteers have worked on food distribution. In Tanout, volunteers support nutrition centres with French Red Cross to detect malnourished children under five years. Objective: Provide support to the RCSN to offer timely and good quality response to food insecurity. Expected results Activities planned Capacities of the RCSN are Reinforce the NS in administration and finance due to manage the reinforced to actively increased workload; participate in the response to Reinforce the NS in logistics (through RDRT members for food crisis distribution activities, vehicles, etc.) Reinforce the NS in coordination mechanisms (delegate, head of The Branch of Diffa has a functional office operation). Purchase equipment for Diffa branch; Install Internet and telephone in the office. Budget summary See attached budget (Annex 1) for details. Yasemin Aysan Under Secretary General Disaster Response and Early Recovery Division Bekele Geleta Secretary General How we work All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. The International Federation s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world. The International Federation s work is guided by Strategy 2020 which puts forward three strategic aims: 1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disaster and crises. 2. Enable healthy and safe living. 3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of nonviolence and peace. 8

9 Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: In Niamey: Aly Bandiaré, President, Red Cross Society of Niger, Niamey; phone: , Fax: ; In Dakar: Youcef Ait-Chellouche, DM Coordinator; phone: In Southern Africa: Alasan Senghore Director for Africa Zone, Johannesburg, phone ; mobile ; fax In Geneva: Christine South, Acting Operations Coordinator for Africa; phone: (direct) Mobile: ; Fax: ; <Emergency Appeal budget and map below; click here to return to the title page> 9

10 ANNEX 1 Budget summary RELIEF NEEDS CHF Food Seeds & Plants 158,636 Utensils & Tools 7,703 Other Supplies & Services 138,068 Total Relief Needs 304,407 CAPITAL EQUIPMENT Land & Buildings Vehicles Purchase 6,818 Computers & Telecom Equipment 20,909 Office/Household Furniture & Equip. 24,600 Medical Equipment 2,813 Other Machinery & Equipment TRANSPORT, STORAGE & VEHICLES Storage - Warehouse Distribution & Monitoring 18,983 Transport & Vehicles Costs 62,675 PERSONNEL International Staff 132,000 Regionally Deployed Staff 153,000 National Staff 50,114 National Society Staff 51,455 Consultants WORKSHOPS & TRAINING Workshops & Training 7,909 GENERAL EXPENSES Travel 27,818 Information & Public Relations 15,534 Communication Costs 8,182 Professional Fees Financial Charges 3,000 Other General Expenses 32,500 SERVICE FEES Service Fees PROGRAMME SUPPORT Programme Support - PSR 64,146 Total Operational Needs 682,454 Emergency Appeal Total Budget 986,862 10

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12 MDRNE005 OT NER 18 March 2010 Niger: Food insecurity Libya Algeria Agadez Mali Tillaberi!\ Niamey Burkina Faso Togo Niamey Dosso Benin Tahoua Maradi Nigeria Niger Zinder Diffa!\ Cameroon Ndjamena Chad km!i The maps used do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or National Societies concerning the legal status of a territory or of its authorities. Map data sources: ESRI, DEVINFO, International Federation, MDRNE005.MXD!\ Capitals Rivers Lakes Departments Defficit in cereal production Very vulnerable > 35% Very + moderate vulnerable >50% Region Population (Very + moderate vulnerable) Agadez Diffa 328,781 Dosso 183,199 Maradi 1,216,927 Tahoua 1,983,452 Tillaberi 761,377 Zinder 1,707,695 Niamey 14,168 Total 6,195,599