Food Security Update
Fews Net Issues Alert
Fews Net issued an alert for Mozambique on February 28. According to the Famine Early Warning System Network, the quasi-total failure of the crops for the main harvest in the South and Center of the country, will result in a worsening of the already deteriorating Food Security status of the vulnerable populations of these areas. Recommendations from Fews Net include a re-targeting of existing food aid resources as well as a prioritisation of current most vulnerable areas and increased surveillance of areas where the situation is likely to deteriorate in the coming months. Distribution of seeds for the second harvest as well as considering options to purchase food in the North of the country are also recommended in the same report.
FCS and VAC Assessments
The FAO/WFP Crop and food supplies assessment mission (CFSAM) will take place from 28 April to 16 May.
The VAC assessment has been slightly delayed to allow time to adapt the methodology for the incorporation of nutrition and anthropometric indicators. Preparations are now underway and fieldwork should start mid-May. The final report is expected mid-June. The next VAC meeting scheduled for the beginning of next week will look with the Consultant leading the assessment at the finalisation of the methodology, including the development of a food security questionnaire and the necessary link with the data collected simultaneously during the anthropometric survey.
Worrying Situation in Northern Inhambane
Following an assessment by CARE, INGC, and WFP in five districts of Northern Inhambane, the nutritional situation of the populations was judged worrying. The combined effects of 2 years of drought, HIV/AIDS, and the recent Cyclone Japhet contributed to malnutrition rates, among children aged 0-4, of 9.3% to 11.9% in Vilankulo district, 5% to 26% in Inhassoro district, and 12% in Mabote district. A rate above 10% is considered an emergency.
Regional News
Malawi Hopeful about Crops
Food production prospects in Malawi are expected to improve and recover from last year's drought-induced shortages. Maize production could be increasing 30% to 40% according the SADC Food Security Ministerial Brief. Concerns are still high though given the lack of buying power of the majority of the population.
UNICEF Nutrition Surveys
Following a comprehensive review by UNICEF of over 60 nutrition surveys and studies from the six crisis-affected countries in the region, it was concluded that the affected areas of Mozambique have unacceptably high rates of malnutrition. UNICEF is currently working in collaboration with WFP and various implementing NGO partners to carry out supplementary feeding for children under five years, pregnant women and nursing mothers in some of the most vulnerable areas. The supplementary feeding is part of an integrated programme, including participatory education on good hygiene and care practices.
Funding Update - Southern African Humanitarian Response
The table below shows that 64% of the funds requirements for the current crisis have been met. Less obvious in the table is the funded portion of non-food requirements, which is only of 23%. It is estimated that this figure could be as low as 10% for Mozambique, probably the lowest among the affected countries of the region.
|
Sector
|
Requirements (US$)
|
Contributions (US$)*
|
| Agriculture |
29,783,796
|
10,510,674
|
| Coordination and support |
9,814,183
|
4,806,609
|
| Economic recov. & infrastructure |
13,149,000
|
---
|
| Education |
11,016,731
|
---
|
| Family shelter & non food items |
900,000
|
---
|
| Food |
512,630,533**
|
390,413,957**
|
| Health |
64,339,161
|
13,528,914
|
| Multi-sector |
557,000
|
3,247,902
|
| Protection/Human Rights |
5,614,350
|
---
|
| Water & Sanitation |
8,511,385
|
703,624
|
| TOTAL REGIONAL APPEAL |
656,316,139
(100%) |
423,211,680
(64 %) |
*As reported by UN-OCHA on 4 April
2003. Does not reflect pledges under negotiation.
**As reported by WFP Regional Office
Update on Projects
INGC Capacity building
A tripartite review meeting was held on 16 April to review the UNDP project of capacity building of the INGC in disaster prevention and management. It was agreed that the project would be evaluated to assess its relevance to date and possible reorientation in the future, to reflect the needs of a changing environment (e.g. Combined effect of the drought with HIV/AIDS and poverty).
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation in Emergency Operations
A total of 20 Training workshops took place from December to March in provinces affected by the current crisis (Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, Sofale, Manica, Zambezia, and Tete), and some 443 Humanitarian Workers, Community Leaders, and Delivery Personnel participated. Aspects covered by the Trainers included concepts of sexual abuse and exploitation, relations between emergency operations, sexual abuse, and HIV/AIDS, as well as an analysis of the mechanisms and protocols of investigations.
The participants were also asked to design action plans to prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of women and children in the context of humanitatian assistance. Community awareness activities also took place as part of the project and an extensive network regrouping international and national NGOs, UN Agencies, community leaders, local fora, and State partners was created around this issue.
This project is supported by WFP, Unicef, and Save the Children, and is implemented by the National Campaign Against Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation with financial management support from FDC.
HIV/AIDS, Food Security, Poverty. A Conceptual Framework
UNDP recruited a consultant to work with the Disaster Management Team and all other partners to formulate a strategy integrating present and future activities addressing the combined effects of HIV/AIDS, food insecurity and poverty into a conceptual framework, for the short and longer term. This initiative will strengthen existing synergies, create new ones and identify additional activities to enhance the UN response to the crisis.
Special Envoy Outlines Next Steps for Action in Southern Africa
In a report prepared for the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), The Special Envoy for Humanitarian Needs in Southern Africa, Mr James Morris, pleads for immediate action on the current emmergency needs, as well as the long-term needs of the region.
The action plan calls for immediate actions to address immediate needs such as identifying high-impact hotspots (i.e. places where vulnerable people are found) and assisting these hotspots with a minimum package of services to ensure that families do not fal lfurthe into poverty and destitution. Simultaneously, the plan seeks to equally address long-term objectives, by making priority investments, by focusing on services and programmes to match changing demographics, by reviewing national HIV/AIDS plans, PRSPs and UNDAFs to reflect reality, and by assisting governments with Disbursement of HIV/AIDS-related Funds.
Finally, the document also stresses the importance of advocacy to sustain international attention and donor support, and of coordination arrangements until April 2004 and beyond, noting the crucial role of RIACSO at regional level, of the Resident Coordinator System at national level, and of the Consolidate Appeal Process as the principal tool for programming and resource mobilization efforts.
Flashes
WHO places Mozambique on Malaria alert
On April 15, WHO's Southern Africa Malaria Control Programme (SAMC) placed Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, on very high alert for risk of malaria transmission and possible epidemic within the next few weeks. Teams are already at work distributing drugs, mosquito nets, and insecticides, and warning the population about the increased risk.
WFP Save Special Operation completed
The aim of the Save Special Operation was to provide assistance to the population isolated by the flooding of the Save river. A helicopter, using five FDP locations: Vumonhe, Javane, Cave, Xixire and Manguezi, delivered a total of 109 MT of mixed commodities. Simulteanously, five locations accessible by 4x4 trucks were supplied with 48 MT of commodities. The road access to Machanga improved faster than planned, therefore the remaining balance (originally planned to be airlifted) was sent to Machanga Sede by road.
Flash Floods in Sofala
According to INGC in Sofala, 14 Families were still without a home on April 15 as a result of a severe storm that flooded parts of Beira at the end of March. The Beira Municipal Council, with the help of INGC, the Mozambique Red Cross and local NGOs was able to address the need of almost all the 60 flood-affected families.
National Emergency Database
In its efforts to mapping development partners' emergency efforts within the framework of the humanitarian situation, the Emergency Unit has received 62 responses to its questionnaire from 12 organisations, namely: Acord, Care, Concern, FAO, Inwent, Lutheran World Federation, MSF Luxembourg, Oxfam, Samaritan's Purse International Relief, Vetaid , World Vision International, and WHO. Many thank to all of them. The maps and graphs presented on this page are shown only as examples of outputs of the database. Our data at this stage is still incomplete, we therefore strongly encourage all partners to please take some time to fill and return the Who Does What Where form to us. All contributors will have access to the database. For further information please do not hesitate to contact Maria Joao Nazareth at 414733 or 082-318720, or send an email to: database@ingc.gov.mz
CALENDAR
30 April: Disaster Management Partners Meeting, Maputo.
5-9 May : VAC Assessment Training of Teams
12-30 May: VAC Assessment Field work
15-16 May: CFSAM debriefings.
29 May: WFP/NGO Partner meeting, Maputo.
UN Emergency Unit:
Tel: (258-1) 41 47 33
Fax: + 41 47 34
Emergency Liaison Officer: + (0)82-329 575
Database/Information Officer: +(0)82-318 720