The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Haiti, are seeking $74 million over the next 12 months to help rehabilitate the country's agricultural sector, following the passage of Sandy, which caused colossal damage to Haiti's crops, land, livestock, fisheries and rural infrastructures in late October, leaving more than 600 000 Haitians at risk of food and nutrition insecurity.

Of the total funding sought, $4 million is needed immediately to help 20 000 families make it through the winter cropping season starting in December.

The Combined impact [drought, Isaac in August and Sandy in October] on the agricultural sector, has been estimated by the Government of Haiti at $254 million, affecting the livelihood of 1.5 million people.

FAO, United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other partners are supporting the Government of Haiti in conducting a post-Sandy assessment in order to present a full picture of the damage and needs for agriculture and food security and allow appropriate and significant response to recover from the crisis.

Some places in the South, South East and Grand Anse zone are still largely isolated due to the massive destruction of road and other infrastructures. FAO, WFP, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and partners will conduct a helicopter survey of those areas.

The Humanitarian Country Team in Haiti, the Donors' Group Supporting Haiti and the Government are currently discussing the next steps in responding to the crisis in the immediate, medium and long term, also addressing root causes of the country's vulnerability to recurrent natural hazards.

"The recent climatic events in Haiti requires the robust response of the international community to support ongoing Government efforts," declared Adam Yao, FAO Senior Emergency Coordinator in Haiti.

Recall that FAO provides support to the Government of Haiti with a variety of interventions in forestry, livestock production, seed production, watershed management and nutrition. These programmes can be scaled up and adapted to address needs following tha passage of Sandy in accordance with the government's plan.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7079-haiti-agriculture-$104-million-losses-in-the-agricultural-sector.html

HL/ HaitiLibre