El Niño Crisis - Global Support in Africa and Haiti - FAO 2016

October 2016 - The humanitarian crisis arising from the 2015-2016 El Niño is continuing to deepen with the United Nations estimating that more than 60 million people are now affected worldwide. While international donors including Canada have already stepped up with humanitarian assistance to save lives and protect livelihoods a significant funding gap persists and humanitarian needs are expected to escalate well into 2017. The impact is most pronounced in Ethiopia which experienced its worst drought in 50 years leaving 10 million people in need of emergency food assistance. In the Americas Haiti is one of the most affected countries with a third consecutive year of drought exacerbated by El Niño leaving more than 3.6 million people food insecure. Similar impacts are being felt around the globe. To date twenty three countries have appealed for help to meet critical needs including food agricultural support and water and sanitation. With GAC's support the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is promoting early recovery and resilience building in some of the countries worst hit by El Niño including Ethiopia Haiti Malawi Somalia Sudan Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Although specific programming differs based on the context in each country FAO is protecting the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable groups such as subsistence farmers and pastoralists with agricultural inputs and livestock support.

Expected results include: (1) improved food security for households affected by drought in eastern and southern Africa and the Americas; (2) decreased incidences of people/households resorting to negative coping strategies in the face of drought and food insecurity; and (3) increased community resilience to face future crises. The expected ultimate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people particularly women and children.