Tech the News (Abril 2011) - Seguridad Alimentaria

8/6/2019 Tech the News (Abril 2011) - Seguridad Alimentaria

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Action Contre la Faim International///Newsletter N12 ///April 2011 1

ISSUE N12 APRIL 2011 //// FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS

Last July Pakistan was hit by the worstflooding in its history.

Monsoon rains swept away homes, bridges,and roads, leaving millions displaced and inneed of immediate assistance.

Since the floods ACF emergency programsreached some 550,000 Pakistanis whoselives were turned upside down.

The first priority was to contain the spread ofwater-borne illnesses by providing access toclean water and emergency sanitation whileworking to rehabilitate water networks anddistribution systems.

ACF also assisted families get back on theirfeet through access to small cash grants to

restart businesses, purchase inputs andcover labour costs for the new agriculturalseason, buy fishing equipment and repairboats.

Cash for Work, unconditional cash grant andfood assistance programs provided food andincome to the landless and most vulnerable.

A snapshot of ACFs immediate response tothe flood emergency in Pakistan :

27,400 basic hygiene kits deliveredin make-shift camps to preventoutbreaks of deadly water-borneillnesses

5,000 food rations distributed toflood-affected families struggling toget back on their feet

1,100 emergency latrines andshowers constructed, benefitingnearly 42,000 displaced Pakistanis

78 million liters of cleanwater trucked in and 325 water pointsrehabilitated, providing clean wateraccess for over 300,000 people

2,630 cash grants disbursed to smallbusiness owners to re-start theirmicro-enterprises after the floods

The recovery phase response has broadenedto include a greater focus on livelihoodrecovery including womens livelihoods,

capacity building, disaster risk managementand integrated surveillance activities.

N.Sobecki

N.Sobecki


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This Newsletter was prepared in New York with the participation of all headquarters and missions. Thanks to all for your

contributions.

NEWS FROM THE HEAD UARTERSNew York

New York Ops department welcomes Nyauma

Nyasani, who has joined us as Regional Nutrition

Advisor with oversight for Kenya, South Sudan and

Uganda missions. Nyauma is based in Nairobi,

Kenya.

Canada

John Seaman who developed the Food Security

module of the SMART methodology is now working

to develop the capacity of ACF-CA SMART experts

on the model, with the aim of ACF-CA progressively

training ACFIN personnel.

There are still further enhancements to be made

and ACF-CA will be assessing new funding options

to improve and enhance the model so that it

responds to real needs in Food Security

assessments.

Madrid

The FSL department welcomes Joaquin Cadariowho has been deployed to Tunisia shortly after

joining the Emergency Pool as the new Food

Security and Livelihoods coordinator, replacing

Samantha Sarria good luck to both of you!

One new but old desk officer has been appointed

for managing Eurasia and Middle East: Jean-

Raphal Poitou, who has also led the Timor-Leste

exploratory mission.

Paris

Geraldine le Cuziat has started a three months

contract on Aligning Food Security with Nutrition.

The project will produce simple guidance for field

workers on how to maximise the positive nutritional

impact of food security projects, and how to

eliminate or minimise the potential negative effects.

Helene Deret returned from maternity leave on 4

April and has taken her position as senior food

security advisor.

Martin Rokitzki will leave his position as the food

security advisor in Paris and will be replaced

rapidly.

NEWS FROM THE HEADQUARTERS 2

DID YOU KNOW...? 3

QUESTIONS ASKED TO 4

ZOOM ON A PROJECT 5

RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT 10

WHAT HAPPENED? Publications, surveys, reports, meetings, fora 11

WHATS NEXT? Publications, surveys, reports, meetings, fora 13

WHAT CAN YOU FIND IN THE PREVIOUS & NEXT NEWSLETTERS? 14


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DID YOU KNOW ?CaLP

The Cash Learning Partnership, funded by ECHO, has

moved into its active phase. The CaLP team hosted byOxfam GB in Oxford comprises a coordinator, a finance

person, a communications person and 2 capacity builders,

plus respective country focal points based in Niger, Kenya,

Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the Philippines. The training plan

for the Level 1 and 2 Cash and Voucher Transfer

Programme is available on the homepage.

Besides the global CaLP grant, ACF has received a sub-

grant for cash and voucher related work, administered by

the ACF Cash working group. The activities include:

- evaluations of innovative and strategic cash and

voucher programmes- material development

- learning and training events

A learning event in Uganda has been facilitated and the CBI

guidelines translated into French and soon into Spanish.

Evaluations in Bolivia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and a Meta

fresh food voucher evaluation are planned. Learning events

are planned in Central America and Central and West

Africa.

For more information, visit the CaLP homepage:

http://www.cashlearning.org/. If you have any ideas or

questions dont hesitate to contact Silke,

[email protected]

Food Aid Convention in renegotiation

What is the FAC? The Food Aid Convention (FAC) is an

international binding treaty first signed in 1967. Within the

FAC, member states make a legal commitment to provide a

predictable amount of food and food related resources to

respond to food emergencies in developing countries. The

FAC member states currently commit to provide around 5

million tons of food each year. Last version of the FAC was

signed in 1999 and since then extended each year. In 2010,

signatories committed to renegotiate the treaty. Informaldiscussions have started, and the first formal negotiation

meeting occurred in December 2011.

What is at stake? ACF, through the TAFAD (Trans-Atlantic

Food Assistance Dialogue), has been advocating during the

last 5 years for the renegotiation and improvement of the

FAC. One of the main demands is to move from the current

logic of resources-based approach, where commitments are

made based on the quantities signatories can provide,

towards a needs-based approach (based on humanitarian

needs). The other crucial shift required is to reinforce the

quality value of commitments, in place of the currentmeasurement made in quantity of wheat-equivalent, in order

to account for the nutritional requirements of food aid,

especially regarding micronutrients.

Other key questions include the inclusion of broader food

assistance activities funded under the FAC, enforcement

mechanisms and governance of the treaty. For more

information, visit TAFAD website: www.tafad.org

Aligning Food Security and Nutrition

This new initiative was launched in March 2011 and aims to

produce practical and simple guidance on how to maximise

the positive impacts and minimise the negative impacts of

ACF food security and livelihood activities on nutrition. For

additional info contact Hanna at:

[email protected]

Catalogue of FSL training modules

A catalogue of FSL trainings listing internal and external

training opportunities, e-learning and self training modules

has been placed on the web, a number of which are free of

charge. The catalogue is available in both French and

English and can be directly accessed at:

http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-

formation/accueil/technique/food-security/fsl-training-

catalogue/. The listing can also be accessed by going

through the ACF web page at:

http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/

Nom dutilisateur(user name): formation

Mot de passe (password) : formation

Then:

technique

food security

fsl training catalogue

Committee on Food Security reformed

The Rome-based Committee on Food Security (CFS) is an

intergovernmental panel on food security. Its chairmanship,

currently assumed by the Philippines, is rotating. The CFS

was relatively dormant in the last decades, but it was

reformed in 2009 after the food and price crises of 2007-08

which showed that a global body on food security was

needed. This gave CFS renewed political relevance and

civil society a prominent place in the structure. Its main

expected outputs are i) learn from experience around the

world; ii) adopt policy orientations on key issues; and iii)hold governments and other actors accountable for

applying them.

The 36th

session took place in October 2010. The

thematics discussed included protracted crises; land

grabbing, and risk and vulnerability. In addition, the CFS

agreed to set up a Global Strategic Framework, to be

submitted for the 37th session (2011) and a subsequent

Plan of action. Linkages between food security and

nutrition, and nutrition security were highlighted throughout

the discussions.

For additional info contact Hanna at:[email protected]
http://www.cashlearning.org/http://www.cashlearning.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.tafad.org/http://www.tafad.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/accueil/technique/food-security/fsl-training-catalogue/http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/accueil/technique/food-security/fsl-training-catalogue/http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/accueil/technique/food-security/fsl-training-catalogue/http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/accueil/technique/food-security/fsl-training-catalogue/http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/accueil/technique/food-security/fsl-training-catalogue/http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/accueil/technique/food-security/fsl-training-catalogue/http://www.actioncontrelafaim.org/service-formation/accueil/technique/food-security/fsl-training-catalogue/mailto:[email protected]://www.tafad.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.cashlearning.org/


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QUESTIONS ASKED TOPaula TenagliaDirector of the Regional Training Center (RTC) in Nairobi, Kenya

In 2009, ACF-USA established a Regional Training Center (RTC) in Nairobi, Kenya with the objective todevelop and expand training opportunities to ACF-USA staff in East Africa. While national staff capacitybuilding is one of the primary objectives of the Center, a number of different types of learning events havebeen supported over the course of the past year. This was discussed when we last caught up with PaulaTenaglia, Director of the RTC:

What type of learning events does the Regional Training

Center support in the region?

At the moment, the RTC is focusing on the delivery of learning

events for ACF internal purposes. We carry out management

trainings for different levels of staff and also support the delivery

of technical trainings in collaboration with the Technical Advisors

from our headquarters in New York. 2010 was quite a busy

year for ACF International regional workshops and ACF-USA

annual departmental meetings and trainings which took place in

Nairobi.

Are all of your events being held in Nairobi?

No. Part of the roles of the RTC is to coordinate with the

missions to deliver tailored in-country trainings. Our training

team can travel directly to the missions and carry out trainings in

the capital or at bases. This is not only cost effective for the

missions but also allows for a larger number of staff to be

trained at the same time.

Are your events only for ACF staff?

Although our main focus is on ACF staff and ensuring learning

opportunities for them, the RTC has also been involved in a

number of training events whereby participants from partner

organizations are invited to attend ACF events. Additionally,

through specific global and regional technical initiatives such as

the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) and Cash Learning

Partnership (CaLP) the RTC has acted as a regional partner for

the support and facilitation of national and regional level

trainings and events.

Are the trainings open to ACF France and Spain mission

staff?

We are currently formalizing a ToR with ACF France so the

trainings will be regularly open to ACF France staff as well. As

we run international and regional events often we have people

from Spain missions as well. So in a nutshell, yes we are open

for all!

What type of trainings does the RTC develop?

There has been a huge amount of work done on training

materials by ACF International. The RTC has been looking at

the specific needs of missions and in 2010 developed training

packages such as an Introduction to ACF Management training,Training of Trainers, Basic Training, Facilitation and Coaching,

Proposal and Report Writing, and the Food Security and

Livelihoods Assessment Guidelines training package. New

types of trainings will be developed in 2011 depending on

expressed needs of the missions and already established

plans.

What else does the RTC do?

The RTC also maintains a database of training providers and

courses or training opportunities in the region. People

interested in something specific can contact the RTC and we

can assist in finding appropriate opportunities. We also assist

missions to source technical consultants when a specific

technical training needs to be developed or delivered. The RTC

also produces a quarterly newsletter Impact.

You mentioned that the RTC works with the technical

departments for trainings, what types of events

specifically?Last year the technical departments were quite busy here in

Nairobi. The RTC worked with the FSL department to develop

training materials and deliver a regional training for the launch

of the ACF FSL Assessment Guidelines. Later in the year we

worked with the CaLP to roll out a cash training level 1. The

RTC also collaborated with ACF International WASH

departments to put on a joint ACF/CARE Disaster Risk

Management learning event in Nairobi. Last but not least the

ACF International Kit Log V3 roll out took place in Nairobi.

What new initiatives is the RTC looking at for 2011?

Building on experiences from our headquarters in Spain andFrance with training grants for ACF staff, ACF-USA launched a

national staff development fund for our missions in 2010. This

will be evaluated in 2011. We are also exploring the opportunity

of developing a national staff leadership programme based on

this experience.

Close collaboration with technical departments have put a

number of technical events on the Nairobi agenda including

Monitoring and Evaluation, Nutrition and Security Management

trainings on the outlook for the second half of the year.

Finally the RTC looks to expand their inter-agency training

collaboration in the region through a number of formalizedconsortia and informal training collaboration.

In 2009, ACF-USA established a Regional Training Center (RTC) in Nairobi, Kenya with the objective to develop andexpand training opportunities to ACF-USA staff in East Africa. While national staff capacity building is one of theprimary objectives of the Center, a number of different types of learning events have been supported over the courseof the past year. This was discussed when we last caught up with Paula Tenaglia, Director of the RTC:


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ZOOM ON A PROJECTInter-agency EMMA in Port-au-Prince, February 2010

The aim of this article is to briefly recall the main principles and aims of EMMA (Emergency Market Mapping & Analysis)

methodology and to present and discuss ACFs practical experience in participating in an inter-agency EMMA in Haiti. The

EMMA was carried out in February 2010, shortly after a massive earthquake hit its capital Port-au-Prince, killing more than

220,000 people and displacing more than 1.5 million.

The Haiti inter-agency EMMA took place over 11 days from February 7th

to 17th

under the supervision of Karry Goeldner Byrne,

Head of Economic Recovery & Development at IRC (International Rescue Committee). 18 people, from different organizations,

participated in the assessment. Four teams were established to study 4 critical markets: rice, beans, corrugated galvanized iron

(CGI) and construction labour.

The market analysis was carried out as no such assessment had been recently implemented, and was justified by the fact that

a weak knowledge of market issues can have serious consequences and weaken the impact of programs in the long-run. Onone hand, in a broader context, a rapid increase in the number of monetary interventions can generate a blockage or a rupture

in the market chain and thus prevent the circulation of essential goods. On the other hand, attempting to bypass these ruptures

without adequate information on the markets can damage these markets in the long-run.

Most of the content of this article has been extracted from a capitalisation note produced by Emmeline Saint, who was

part of the ACF Food Security Team during the emergency response in Haiti and participated in the inter-agencyEMMA exercise.

Within the specific context of the Haitian emergency, a major part of

Port-au-Prince and the surrounding metropolitan area were

destroyed, including both housing and infrastructures. Beyond the

enormous human and material losses suffered, from an economic

standpoint the population was also severely affected. Problems

related to the loss of financial capital, the loss of merchandise and the

destruction of infrastructures related to markets (stocks, stores,

roads, etc) also arose. Access to essential goods and services, and

their availability on the market were both greatly diminished, which

threatened the livelihoods of both the populations living in the area

directly affected by the earthquake as well as those living in the rest

of the country, as the Port-au-Prince metropolitan zone is the focal

point of most markets in Haiti.

What is EMMA?

Markets are a crucial component of how people survive. So understanding how they are functioning and disrupted is critical toany analysis of hunger, and vulnerability to food and livelihood insecurity or poverty. Paul Harvey, Humanitarian Policy Group,ODI, in EMMA Toolkit (2008)

Market-systems play a vital role in supplying critical goods or services to ensure survival and protect livelihoods, in both theimmediate aftermath of a disaster and the longer-term. Before, during and beyond any crisis, emergency-affected women andmen also depend on market-systems as sources of income and remuneration.

The rationale for EMMA is that a better understanding of the most critical market-systems in an emergency situation enableshumanitarian agencies to consider a broader range of responses. As well as conventional in-kind distributions and cash-basedinterventions, these responses options can include local procurement and other innovative forms of market-system support thatenable humanitarian programs to make better use of existing market actors capabilities, while understanding the risks.

The results of using EMMA therefore are: More efficient use of humanitarian resources Less risk of prolonged dependency on outside assistance Encouragement for the transition to economic recovery

The EMMA toolkit is a set of tools and guidance designed to assist front-line humanitarian staff in sudden-onset emergencies tobetter understand and, where appropriate, make use of market systems. The ultimate purpose of EMMA is to improve theefficiency and effectiveness of the early humanitarian actions taken to ensure peoples survival, protect their food security and

restore their livelihoods. EMMA uses background research, interviews, and graphic representations of market systems to helpinform humanitarian response options.

The toolkit can be used by within 2-3 weeks of a sudden-onset emergency. Using EMMA, non-technical staff can collect usefulmarket and necessary economic livelihood information that is needed to identify opportunities and inform decision-makers.Extracted from EMMA Toolkit 2008


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Organisation and main step of EMMA in Haiti:

STEPS ACTIVITIES

Day1

1.Preparation2.Market Selection

3.PreliminaryAnalysis

Preparation work

Consultation of participants depending on thepriorities set by ones own criteria (or those ofthe organization). 6 market systems wereselected (rice, beans, construction labor, watersellers, construction material, and cookingcombustible). These were reduced to 4 criticalmarkets due to time constraints.

Constitution of working teams

Elaboration of analytical key questions to whichthe analysis will have to answer and elaboraterecommendations on:

First draft of market mapping using theinformation already known by the team: marketmap before the earthquake, and market map asaffected by the quake

First draft of seasonal calendar

D2

4.PreliminaryAnalysis

5.Field visitpreparation

Secondary data collection on the situation priorto the quakeKey information selection

Interview and visit planning

Elaboration of surveys, interview check-lists (forkey informants, wholesalers, local producers,households, importers, vendors)

D3-4-5

6.Field Work Information and data collectionInterviews with key informants and importers

Market visits, interviews with vendors andMadame Saras

Cancellation of visits planned outside of themetropolitan zone (Artibonite region for localproducers and co-ops) due to time constraintsand official mourning period.

Lack of time for planned household surveys

D6

-7-8

7.Field Work8.Market mapping

9.Gap Analysis

National mourning day: activities were delayedand reduced

Consolidation of collected data, verification ofdata and missing interviewsFirst data analysis, update of tools (marketmaps and seasonal calendar)

Meetings with other working teams to cross-check common data

D9

-10

10.Field Work

11.Gap Analysis

12.Market Analysis13.Responseanalysis

Final interviews: wholesalers, and MadamSaras

Household visits in different campsData analysis, needs analysis

Establishment of household profiles to analysethe differences in HH income and spendingbefore and after the quake

Finalization of market maps (before/after) andof the season calendar

Elaboration of matrix of different responseoptions

Write-up of recommendations

Write-up of report, consolidation of the 4 teams

D1

1

14. Communication Presentation of conclusions andrecommendations (NGOs, local andinternational organizations, donors, governmentinstitutions, producers)

Finalization of reports.

The main objective of implementing an EMMA is to identify

the most relevant responses (cash, in-kind, market

support) for short and medium term responses, from

emergency to early-recovery, at early stages after a shock.

The main questions to be answered are the following:

How has the disaster affected key-markets?

What is the impact of the first wave of humanitarian

emergency aid on these markets at the time of the

analysis?

What recommendations should be made regarding the

actions to be carried out by all the actors (local and

international organizations) to counteract the negative

impact of the quake on these markets?

How to integrate the markets into the humanitarian response

so as to contribute to the more immediate, and medium-term, recovery?

The EMMA Toolkit was developed between 2008 and

2010 based on pilots in Haiti, Myanmar, Kenya, and

Pakistan. It is based on 4 main tools, 10 key steps & 3

main principles.

Lessons learnt from the Haiti experience

From a general standpoint, the EMMA was well

implemented, thanks to good organization and good

coordination between members. The multi-agency

characteristic was a strong point of this work as it allowedfor complementarity of the various agencies. The challenge

of time constraints was overcome thanks to an excellent

reactivity of participants.

The EMMA methodology follows a logical and rapid

sequence. The necessary training was completed very

quickly and thanks to the coordination of Karri Byrne, no

group had difficulties understanding the tools as they were

rolled out on the field.

Furthermore, the conclusions of the study were coherent

between the different market systems and the

recommendations made by each working group reflectedthis coherence and were relevant, as highlighted by

representatives of the multiple agencies with who the

studies were shared.

Simplicity of the implementation of the tools: the EMMA tool

was created to ensure its ready use by non-specialists.

Indeed, the Port-au-Prince experience (where the team was

highly heterogeneous in terms of skills and competencies)

demonstrated that the tool is accessible to most actors. Even

if many had already worked on market analyses, some

participants were not familiar at all with these types of

approaches. However, even if the tools do not require

advanced knowledge, a certain level of awareness ofcommon market issues is an advantage.

F-F nutrition programs in Darfur. His main tasks are 1e

///CONTINUED


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Emergency-affected fresh food market map, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (ACF, 2010)

Timing: In theory, this is a simple and succinct tool, which was developed for the speed of analysis required in emergencycontexts. However, this was the first time that EMMA was implemented in an urban zone as well as in a highly chaotic context. Alot of time was spent in traffic jams which limited the possibility of visits, especially outside of the city. For instance, a visit to localproducers and other key actors in the rice market in the Artibonite region was cancelled due to lack of time. In addition, none ofthe working groups was able to collect information regarding households as planned notably due to lack of time and because of

the three days of national mourning.

Volume of information: The principle of optimal ignorance specific to the EMMA represents a true challenge. Indeed, aconsiderable amount of information was available on the four markets in which the teams were working. We therefore had to bevery specific as to precisely which information we were looking for, meanwhile ensuring that important details were notoverlooked. Similarly, we constantly had to verify and update findings as the conditions could easily change in such a context.

Communication of results: During the presentation of findings, only one hour had been planned to present the conclusions offour teams, in two languages, and to answer the questions of an audience of about 100 people. It was therefore very difficult tosum up the result of each study in five minutes, and the time allotted for discussion and exchanges was too short. The writtenreports were however widely diffused and a presentation took place during the Early Recovery cluster meeting.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

The EMMA is adapted to general backgrounds and non-

specialists Allows for a good complementarity of backgrounds within ateam

A multi-agency team can improve the credibility of results

Speed of assimilation of the method and therefore rapidimplementation.

Allows for market information to be synthesized andrecommendations made within a very short time frame aftera disaster for a better coordination of organizations andintegration of existing market strengths.

Adaptability to urban areas? The planning must be adapted to the

context and the environment The principal of optimal ignorance can be a bit tricky whenmost of the information collected appears important and when it isnecessary to target crucial points on market systems in general toavoid drowning in a sea of information and data. (As a reminder,more detailed information on a particular subject cansubsequently be collected in a more targeted assessment.)

The format of the report can be a constraint to broad diffusion(always try to keep the report concise to allow for a betterunderstanding by partners).

The EMMA assessment allowed for a good understanding of the four critical markets in the aftermath of the earthquake and gave

insight into recovery perspectives. It helped stakeholders and decision makers define the most appropriate responses, which led to a

number of cash based interventions and rapid decline in in-kind support, especially for staple food. The experience gained in the

exercise led ACF to implement another market assessment based on the EMMA methodology focusing on local fresh food markets,

and the design of a large fresh food voucher program in Port au Prince.


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ZOOM ON A PROJECT IICommunity paddy banks: Providing access to food and reducing debts, anexperience from ACF in Kayah State, Republic of the Union of Myanmar(Burma) by Nicolas Guillaud, FSL Coordinator ACF-Myanmar, reviewed by Victor Kiaya, FSL Advisor

Project Area Background

Kayah State is located in the Eastern part of Myanmar, bordering Thailand. Following a 2007 assessment, ACF intervenes

in this area to provide support to vulnerable populations, with a focus on mitigating conflict related vulnerabilities. FSL

projects with the support of the SDC, mainly tackle problems related to food production (decreasing access to productive

land, losses of soil fertility and soil erosion amongst other) and debts. In parallel, generally for the same beneficiaries groups,

ACF also intervenes in the WASH sector, by providing access to water and appropriate sanitation by the construction of GFS

(Gravity Flow Systems), rain water collection tanks, hand dug wells, school and low cost family latrines, completed by

hygiene promotion campaigns to limit risky practices related to personal hygiene.

So far, activities are mainly directly implemented by ACF but involvement of local organizations will be fostered in the

coming 3.5 years WASH and FSL integrated project are to be launched coming May.

Rationale for implementing community paddy banks

The precarious food security in Kayah State results from:

Low agricultural production: Constrained access to

productive land due to displacement, combined with

inadequate practices to conserve soils and improve

production, limit the quantity of food produced at

household level.

Limited job opportunities and insufficient food intake:

Limited job opportunities hinder capacity to complement

access to sufficient food through the market. Households

are not able to produce enough food to cover their yearly

food needs. It is estimated that 85% of rural households

face chronic food shortage, on average lasting two to five

months.

Debt: Coping strategies include borrowing food and/or money on interest basis, drawing families into endless debt cycles.Interest to be paid on a loan of food (rice) can reach up to100%, while 10% is common when money is borrowed. 10 to 20%

of the harvest can be mobilized to reimburse debts, reducing the quantity of food available for own consumption.

The paddy bank system offers a way to alleviate the impact of debt on household access to food through community

empowerement. It targets indebted paddy farming households affected by long periods of food shortage and with limited off

farm incomes. The banks provide beneficiaries with better options for coping with the food gap than those offered by

money/food lenders. They include a recognized management committee and set of rules and regulations defining modalities

for loans and reimbursement (quantities and timeframe) and resolution of conflict (in case of default of loan recovery e.g.).

ACF facilitates the definition of rules and regulations and provides an initial capital in paddy equivalent to two months food

consumption. To provide a sense of ownership, beneficiaries are actively involved in the decision-making process and

contribute building materials while ACF provides materials not easily available in the communities (such as cement and iron

bars for the foundations. This capital is not intended to be reimbursed to the project. However, whenever possible

beneficiaries will be encouraged to eventually transfer it to other vi llages willing to establish similar structures.

Achievements to date

In 2010, four structures were implemented which benefited over 200 HHs. Five new structures are currently being developed

and by 2014, ACF plans to support the establishment of 18 additional structures that should benefit up to 1,200 households.

Early monitoring results revealed that:

The interest rate settled by the bank is in average 28% lower than what is practiced by the usurers

26% of borrowers mentioned that as a result of the bank loan, they worked less in others field during the lean

season to generate income or get food. Thus, they could free additional time for their own farms

21% of them said that borrowing paddy enabled them to save money and buy more food on the market

33% of them mentioned that they did not have to borrow any food outside

67% of households borrowed the maximum quantity and covered 2 months of rice needs. The remaining 33%

decided to borrow half the quantity first and would make a second loan later

Initial monitoring has found that at least on short term, paddy banks facilitate an increased access to food by vulnerable

farmers during the lean season. The results also suggest that banks will eventually have greater impacts on the overall

livelihoods of the family and increase the productivity of local production systems.


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Research & Technical DevelopmentNutritional Causal Analysis

ZOOM ON A PROJECT III

Safety Nets for Seasonal Hunger: the case for locally-adaptedwelfare programmes to address recurrent climatic events in Guatemalab Jose Luis Vivero Pol, Central America Re ional Coordinator, Accin contra el Hambre Es aa.

Even though chronic hunger is largely predictable, the international community and national governments tend to respond withunpredictable emergency relief that is generally provided at a time when people have already lost the assets that they need in

order to be productive. Chronically hungry people need long-term, predictable social assistance if they are to meet basic needs and

protect their livelihood assets, in addition to policies and programmes that help them develop sustainable livelihoods and lift

themselves out of poverty. Whilst the main aim of a safety net is to protect consumption and productive capacity, it has been found

that even relatively small amounts of cash transferred on a regular, predictable basis can have promotional effects on peoples

livelihoods as they feel more confident to take risks and invest in productive activities.

Guatemala is very rich in poverty and hunger. It has an under-five stunting rate (chronic malnutrition) of over 52%, placing it in the

fourth-worst position in the world and the worst among Latin American and Caribbean countries (even higher than Haiti). Acute

malnutrition does not equal chronic malnutrition, although in 2009 alone it killed 250 children and this year more than 2400 wasted

children have been detected thanks to the new Governmental scheme that makes wasting notification compulsory for health posts.

On top of that, Guatemala is also one of the poorest countries in Latin America, as 56% of the population live below the poverty

line (24% on less than USD 2/day). Guatemala is also disaster-prone, with an annual average of over 136,000 people affected by

natural disasters over the past five years.

Most of Guatemalas acute hunger and malnutrition occurs in the annual, predictable hunger season, when the previous years

harvest stocks have dwindled, food prices are high, and jobs are scarce. Most of the Guatemalas poor and hungry people are

either landless rural laborers or members of small farm households. Their poverty is driven by seasonal cycles, worsening

especially in the pre-harvest months. During this hunger season period, household food stocks from the postreraharvest begin to

run out: low production levels, inadequate storage facilities, and accumulated debt all combine to force families to sell or consume

their agricultural production well before the new harvest. That is the usual scenario in the semi-arid tropical areas of the Dry

Corridor. Household level food deficits translate to general shortages at the local economy level, so food prices on the open

market increase considerably during the hunger season. At the same time, temporary labour markets are flooded with hungry

families seeking work in cinnamon, coffee and sugar cane plantations, or in Honduras or El Salvador. Even for those lucky enough

to find employment, wages are low due to the high supply of labour. The net result is that households are forced to reduce thediversity and quantity of food they consume, setting the stage for macro- and micronutrient deficiencies. In addition, the pre-harvest

hunger season is also often the rainy season, when malaria, diarrheal diseases, and other illnesses strike hard.

On the other side, drought is a recurrent phenomenon in Guatemala, and it will hit harder and more frequently in the coming

decades according to data released during the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December 2009. Water-related climatic

hazards (drought and floods) have been constant in the region and it will continue to be, negatively affecting thousands of rainfall-

dependant small-scale farmers.

Therefore, long-term solutions supported by development instruments are needed to address these structural deficits. Disaster

Risk Adaptation and Mitigation actions should be considered as they could also be supported from the humanitarian budget, to an

extent. In that sense, a Drought preparedness approachto recurrent hunger-producing climatic hazards shall be pursued in the Dry

Corridor of Guatemala, with activities such as drought-tolerant seeds, micro-watershed management (to increase water harvest

and soil moisture), seed banks, cash-based safety nets, well construction, small dams, reforestation, etc. As a means to

consolidate a welfare system in the country, Seasonal (time-limited) Cash-based Safety Nets for Food Securityshould be planned

in advance, to be undertaken for drought in a regular basis and, perhaps, to be included in the contingency plans for hurricanes.

Seasonal Hunger Safety Nets are a must in drought affected areas, combining different schemes:

Cash-for-Work, needed as generating employment and distributing cash seem to be the most limiting factors to achieve

food security in many areas.

Food for work, in the event of damaging hurricanes, as there is plenty of food in the region even in dry seasons. There is

no need for food distribution in most cases.

Conditional Cash Transfers, as the ongoing programme in Guatemala called Mi Familia Progresa.

Weather-related Crop Insurance, to compensate small farmers for heavy losses

Input-based Programmes, such as the Programa de Granos Bsicos y Fertilizantes (agricultural inputs distribution).

The implementation of these kinds of safety net programs would reduce the need to provide emergency aid whenever high chronic

malnutrition turns into high acute malnutrition due to sudden climatic hazards.


10/14



Nutrition Causal Analysis (NCA) is an approach that has been implemented by ACF and a handful of otherorganisations over the last 10 years. These studies have had the objective of identifying the underlying causes of

malnutrition based on the UNICEF framework using a variety of different methodologies (case/control surveys; KAP

surveys; qualitative assessments).

Since 2010 ACF is funding a research project in close collaboration with the US-based TUFTS University to identify

and promote a methodology that suits ACF objectives:

- To identify main underlying causes of malnutrition in a local context

- To identify the pathways leading to malnutrition

- To prioritise the main causes of malnutrition by importance

The idea is not to try to prove that a link exists between, for example, diet diversity and malnutrition as it has already

been demonstrated; but rather to identify the main causes in a specific local context and to identify the priorities for

action.

Given the complexity of the causes of malnutrition, the challenge is to find a methodology that is comprehensive

enough to achieve its objectives but that also falls within the capacity of NGOs (not too scientific, not too expensive,

not too time-intensive).

ACF is currently testing a methodology in two countries which consists of a cross sectional survey including

anthropometric measurements and qualitative analysis. In Zimbabwe, Sophie Bruneau is conducting the field study in

the mountainous Chivi district focusing on causes of chronic malnutrition. Preliminary data analysis is complete and

more detailed analysis is ongoing. In Bangladesh, Julien Chalimbaud is conducting the study in the Char areas of the

north (Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat districts, near the India border) affected by river erosion, focusing on the causes of

acute malnutrition.

A more complex and detailed statistical analysis will be conducted in April and May 2011 with the support of a

professional statistician in order to validate the method. Aggregate analysis, articles and draft guidelines are to be

produced by June 2011. The draft guidelines will be field tested in a number of missions prior to their finalisation in

September 2011. At its completion this project will provide ACF and other NGOs with an innovative tool to support the

causal analysis of malnutrition and build locally appropriate programmes for the prevention of malnutrition.

The project is handled by the Paris FSL department (Julien Chalimbaud) and research department (Myriam At Assa).

For further information or if your mission would be interested to test the draft guidelines, please contact Julien

Chalimbaud at [email protected].

Research & Technical DevelopmentNutritional Causal Analysis
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


11/14



WHAT HAPPENED?Publications, surveys, reports, meetings, foraUrban Learning Event - Oxford, October 2010 /// Julien Morel, ACF-France

On October 4-5, 2010, Oxfam GB and WFP co-hosted a learning event focused on Urban and Food Security, bringing togetherNGOs (Oxfam, Save the Children UK, Concern, World Vision, ACF), UN (WFP, FAO), Research bodies (ODI, ENN, FNSAU)

and donors (ECHO) to share experiences and learning on urban food security and livelihoods interventions, from assessment to

response. ACF presented its emergency response in Port au Prince and shared lessons learnt and recommendations.

The main objective was to outline gaps in understanding around urban settings and adapting response analysis, and to agree

on a way forward and means for interagency collaboration. The motivation was to address the limited knowledge, evidence

base and tools and to respond to a clear and increasing interest from a range of actors. Several themes were discussed,

including: indicators and thresholds for measuring vulnerability in urban settings; assessment approaches and tools; targeting;

specific or adaptedresponse options; policy and funding. For more information on the event, a report is available at:[email protected]

For more information on urban & food security, visit Food for the Cities D-group:http://dgroups.org/fao/food-for-cities

Also refer to ACF Guideline :Identification of vulnerable people in urban environments, available in French and English

Launching the way forward in Biofortification /// Mara Bernrdez, ACF-Spain

The beginning of research on biofortified foods (foods with increased micronutrient content) started late 1990s, and in 2004 the

CGIAR started its HarvestPlus programme, leading research with funds from USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation.

The First Global Conference on Biofortification was organized in November 2010 in Washington DC and aimed at defining the

way forward as the products of biofortification research are now starting to be released. Main conclusions were:

- the need to create evidence on the nutritional impact of biofortified foods

- the need to start the delivery of existing biofortified products to the population is intended for

- the need to create alliances with implementing partners

- continue research for increasing micronutrients contents and bioavailability

ACF is engaged in this direction, with 2 interventions using biofortified foods to be implemented this year in Peru and Bolivia, in

collaboration with local research centres attached to HarvestPlus/ Agrosalud. For more info, [email protected].

IPC /// Silke Pietzsch, ACF-USA

ACF attended a regional IPC meeting in November 2010 in Nairobi, in which a review of the past 3 years of IPC roll out in the

region was facilitated. IPC is currently submitting new proposals for continuous funding to ECHO, EC and Dfid. As ACF is still

not an official partner, we have repositioned ourselves as being available to reinforce and support data analysis and

interpretation and supporting quality assurance, and capacity building for data collection in the Horn of Africa as well as in other

regions, e.g. Southern Africa, West Africa, Latin America. The global IPC team is waiting on funding to move forward with the

formalization of an official ACF partnership in the IPC. The IPC Manual 2 is under public review.

IFPRI Conference - New Delhi, 10-12 February 2011 /// Hanna Matinnen, ACF-France

Leveraging agriculture for improving nutrition and healthwas a major forum bringing together over one thousand policy makers,

practitioners, politicians, NGOs, international organisations, academics, researchers and government representatives which

looked at how to leverage agriculture for better nutritional and health outcomes. Worth mentioning was the presence of a

good number of representatives from countries, which facilitated peer to peer exchanges. The conference was part of theCGIAR initiative, piloted by IFPRI. Key message: The linkages between agriculture, nutrition, and health are obvious: adequate

levels and qualities of food produced and consumed promote good nutrition and robust health, but the positive linkages between

agriculture, nutrition, and health are not realized and opportunities are missed. Addressing the current problems of hunger and

undernutrition will require solutions to be developed at the intersection of the agriculture, health, and nutrition sectors. Much has

been learned in recent years about how the three sectors are connected. Nonetheless, significant information and knowledge

gaps remain. Many policymakers and practitioners in the agriculture, nutrition, and health sectors continue to work in isolation

despite the potentially strong synergies among initiatives to improve nutrition and health through agriculture.

The conference website has a wealth of information, including 2-4 page briefs on key thematics discussed by the panel

members:http://2020conference.ifpri.info/andhttp://2020conference.ifpri.info/publications/

DVD ON PASTORALISM /// Martin Rokitzki, ACF-France

ACF has produced an interactive DVD on pastoralism which contains a wealth of information on a vast range of pastoral relatedtopics. The 300+ resources compiled encompass ACF capitalisation reports, evaluations, project reports, studies,

guidelines and assessment reports as well as information resources by partner organisations. The structure of the DVD is

guided by the two overarching concepts of Sustainable Livelihoods Approachand Drought Cycle Management.

For more information, please contact Martin:[email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://dgroups.org/fao/food-for-citieshttp://dgroups.org/fao/food-for-citieshttp://dgroups.org/fao/food-for-citiesmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://2020conference.ifpri.info/http://2020conference.ifpri.info/http://2020conference.ifpri.info/http://2020conference.ifpri.info/publications/http://2020conference.ifpri.info/publications/http://2020conference.ifpri.info/publications/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://2020conference.ifpri.info/publications/http://2020conference.ifpri.info/mailto:[email protected]://dgroups.org/fao/food-for-citiesmailto:[email protected]


12/14



WHAT HAPPENED? (continued)Publications, surveys, reports, meetings, fora

The ACF FSL Technical Library: All ACF Food Security & Livelihood in one DVD! /// Julien Morel, ACF-France

In 2010, ACF-F Food Security Sector worked on producing a virtual FSL Technical Library listing and grouping

together all ACF internal and some external technical documents that are useful to FSL staff. The virtual Library has

now been finalised and is currently being sent to every ACF mission in the form of a DVD-Rom.

The objective of the virtual FSL Technical Library is to group together and make accessible a set of reference

documents, internal and external, to the Food Security and Livelihoods field teams.

The rationale of this project built on the fact that:

Previous ACF capitalisation CDs dated back to 2006, with no possibility to update them. They therefore became

obsolete with many new documents missing while part of the content was not relevant anymore ;

ACF produces regularly many documents, such as policy papers, technical guidance, best practices/fieldcapitalisation reports., of which some are essential and have to be known and used by field teams when

implementing projects and/or representing ACF ;

These documents are more or less extensively disseminated, while dissemination and communication on newly

released material is usually done once only, when the document is finalized: in the end, many of us dont even

know the existence of most internal literature.

There was a need to provide a single exhaustive list of ACF reference documents, and to make these documents

more accessible, whether you are a Programme Manager based in small remote base or an advisor in HQ. The

virtual library DVD is made up of the following:

HOME: interactive home page, giving access to the different library components;

a. ACF Reference Documents Library: Excel database listing all existing ACF reference documents useful to

FSL teams. You can make a search using AutoFilters and access most of the identified documents through

hypertexts links;

b. ACF Technical Library: Excel database listing some technical documents, internal and external, classified

by technical subjects. This database is far from being exhaustive, but can provide a first insight and give quick

access to key documents related to each subject. You can make a search using AutoFilters and access most of

the identified documents through hypertexts

A.ACFIN REFERENCE DOCUMENTS: Thematic folders (sorted by document types) grouping together most of

the documents listed in the ACF Reference Documents Library;

B.TECHNICAL LIBRARY : Thematic folders (sorted by technical subjects) grouping together most of the

documents listed in the ACF Technical Library

The project is not complete: the library aims to be a living tool,

continuously updated with new inputs from the field. An

updated DVD-Rom will be printed annually and disseminated to

each ACF mission. Meanwhile, a quarterly newsletter will be

produced and sent by e-mail to each mission in order to share

a set of newly released documents. These documents will be

made available either online or through your HQ technical

advisor.

Finally, it should be noted that this DVD is a first version only,

aimed at improvements to better fit user needs in the coming

years. For this reason, user feedback is of utmost importance

and you are kindly requested to send your comments,

questions and recommendations to Julien at:

[email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


13/14



WHATS NEXT?

Publications, surveys, reports, meetings, fora

- The ACF FSL Monitoring and Evaluation guidelinesare in the final stages of development. In April 2011 a peer reviewwill be facilitated with representatives of peer organizations, donors and academic representatives. Once the guidelines are

finalized, training materials will be developed to support the roll out and application of the developed M&E indicators and

systems to all missions. For any further information and updates please contact Silke, [email protected].

- The ACF Surveillance guidelinesare currently in the validation stage. The development process has incorporated field

experiences and comments gathered from participants of the 2010 ACF FSL international workshop in Burkina-Faso and

including inputs from a multi-sectorial working group from all three operational HQs. In the meantime, training materials have

been developed to support the roll out to all missions. For further information please contact Julien,[email protected]

- DRM Institutional platform: A DRM Institutional Platform designed for all HQ and missions has been set up to address

cyclical hazards and climate risks, comprised of a (i) Policy (ii) Programming Guideline and (iii) Strategy. The policy and

accompanying field guideline DRM for Communities A Programming Guideline on how to integrate disaster risk management

(DRM) into our existing undernutrition and disaster work have been formulated to provide better programming outcomes.

This DRM Programming Guideline (see outline below) is designed as an interactive CD that allows the reader to read as little or

as much as they want. It guides the reader through the logic of a programming and disaster cycles giving the reader the flexibility

to have a broad vision or to go into detail on specific subjects.

They are written for:

1. Senior management team of missions and HQ staff who want to incorporate DRM into their country strategies.

2. Technical coordinators who want to run a DRM programme comprising a range of different projects.

3. Programme managers who want to run single or multiple DRM projects.

4. DRM experts who want to update themselves on some of the best internal and external practices.

This preliminary guideline will be updated at the end of 2011 based on review of implementation and lessons on integration of

DRM into programmes and projects (DRM and undernutrition, DRM for insecure contexts and DRM for urban livelihoods).The DRM Institutional Strategy has the following objectives, with the following impact on the Food Security service:

Objective 1: All ACF mission consider DRM in their actions, striving for an integrated DRM action working towards

community resilience against disaster, conflict and undernutrition wherever possible.

Integration of DRM within the next generation of NCA and early warning systems.

Contingency planning to better manage livelihoods under emergencies.

Key Paris focus on boosting DRM capacity for Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Haiti, Zimbabwe.

Objective 2: ACF becomes a reference humanitarian DRM organisation with a focus on undernutrition, insecure

zones and the urban context.

Pilot programmes in Ethiopia and Bangladesh providing a merged livelihoods, nutrition and DRM approach methodology.

Positioning being developed on how to better manage the risk to livelihoods under insecure and conflict contexts, and at ahousehold level in urban contexts research and partnerships with UK NGOs.

Objective 3: ACF actively contributes to national and international advocacy on humanitarian DRM issues

Follow-up work positioning ACF within global and regional DRM, food security and nutrition platforms, and donor networks.

Objective 4: ACF promotes shared DRM action across its network, striving for operational partnerships between

ACF headquarters, regions and countries where ACF intervenes.

DRM feeding into the developing West Africa and East Africa strategies, with an informal revision of shared interest in Asia.

Multi-sector week-long workshops on basic DRM for missions previewed for Dakar and Nairobi, a mini-workshop in Dhaka,

with a fourth global workshop for experts on DRM applied to undernutrition, insecure context and urban livelihoods.

Development of a global human resources list and capacity building plan: DRM experts and technical mainstreaming

resources.

DRM exchange network, connecting HQ with regions and missions, with a synthesised report outlining thematic, stakeholder

and donor trends.

Please dont hesitate to contact Andrew Mitchell with any questions: [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


14/14

Action Contre la Faim International /// Newsletter N12 /// April 2011 14


Issue Sector Release date HQ Main articles

#1 WASH September 2008 Paris Caracoli en medio de la sed cuando se esta rodeado de agua - ACF Colombia

Groundwater quantification in coastal area - ACF France

#2 FSL October 2008 Madrid Fuel efficient stoves or not? when we are able to follow up our own

recommendations - ACF Uganda

Can the environment absorb our activities? The acadjas, a pilot fish

production project on Lake Tanganyika - ACF RDC

Integrated Nutrition and Food Security Surveillance in Malawi - ACF Malawi

Projects including the concept of value chain - ACF Paraguay

#3 Nutrition January 2009 Paris Nutrition communautaire et scurit alimentaire au Niger, les dfis de

lintgration - ACF Niger

What is Research?ACF France

#4 FSL June 2009 New York Direct cash after the Post Election Violence in Kenya - ACF Kenya

Direct cash project in Lira, UgandaACF Uganda

#5 WASH July 2009 Madrid Sustainability factors for Water points in LiberiaACF Liberia

Light casing for rapid rehabilitation/construction open wells

#6 Nutrition January 2010 New York Integrated Nutrition and FSL activities in Southern SudanACF

Southern Sudan

Projet de support nutritionnel et de scurit alimentaire des Personnes

Vivant avec le VIH - ACF RDC

#7 FSL December 2009 Paris Direct Cash transfer in Uganda: results & lessons learntACF Uganda

Partnership in program implementation: an experience of ACF in

BargunaACF Bangladesh

Changing general food distributions into cash based interventions,

Cyclone Nargis experienceACF Myanmar

#8 WASH May 2010 New York Hygiene promotion in emergencies: Capitalisation of ACF experiences in

Nakuru and Molo IDP Camps, Kenya - ACF Kenya

Groundwater research in Uganda - ACF Uganda

#9 FSL July 2010 Madrid Seed Fairs in Eastern DRCACF Congo

Sentinel Sites in Central AmericaACF Central America

CFW: Food Processing Activity for Women in PalestineACF Palestine

Rponse au sisme en Hati : spcificits dune rponse durgence en

milieu urbainACF Hati

#10 Nutrition September 2010 Madrid Management at remote control in Gao ACF Mali

Integrated Approach ACF Per

Bhami History ACF India

Climate change and malnutrition

ACF Int

#11 WASH March 2011 Paris Piloting sanitation solutions for periurban UlaanBaatar ACF Mongolia

Emergency sanitation: where are we and what needs to be done?

#12 FSL April 2011 New York Inter-agency EMMA in Port-au-PrinceACF Haiti Community paddy banksACF Myanmar Hunger Safety NetsACF Central America

WHAT CAN YOU FIND IN THE PREVIOUS

AND NEXT NEWSLETTERS?

Issue Sector Release date HQ If you want to contribute to the next NUT edition of Tech

The News, to be released in June 2011 and piloted by

ACF-France, please contact :Anne-Dominique Israel [email protected]

#13 Nutrition June 2011 Paris

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