FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION ASSESSMENT IN THE AREAS AFFECTED BY TROPICAL STORM MAHASEN June 2013 1 Acknowledgements This document has been prepared jointly by Food Security Cluster (FSC) Co-Leads FAO and WFP and Nutrition Cluster Lead UNICEF with contribution and participation from the following (in alphabetical order): ACF, CCDB, Christian Aid, CODEC, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Jaago Nari, Muslim Aid, NSS, Oxfam, Plan Bangladesh, Save the Children, Shushilan, Solidarities International and Speed Trust. Special thanks to the Department of Livestock and Department of Fisheries of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Department of Agricultural Extension of Ministry of Agriculture along with Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), Upazila Chairman, Upazila chairman, Upazila members and local elites for their support with the data collection for the KII for the Agricultural Sectors. Special thanks to the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) for their financial contribution to support the normative activities of the Food Security Cluster. 2 Acronyms ACF Action Contre La Faim AEZ Agro Ecological Zone BBS Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics BDT Bangladesh Taka BWDB Bangladesh Water Development Board CCDB Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh CODEC Community Development Centre ECHO European Community Humanitarian Office FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FFS Farmers Field School FSC Food Security Cluster DAE Department of Agriculture Extension DC Deputy Commissioner DLS Department of Livestock DoF Department of Fisheries GAM Global Acute Malnutrition GoB Government of Bangladesh HCTT Humanitarian Coordination Task Team HH Households HYV High Yield Varieties IYCF Infant Young Child Feeding INGO International Non Governmental Organisation JNA Joint Needs Assessment KII Key Informant Interviews LLP Low Lift Pumps MoFLS Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock MoA Ministry of Agriculture NGO Non-Governmental Organization NNS National Nutrition Services PIO Project Implementation Officer PLW Pregnant and Lactating Women SAM Severe Acute Malnutrition SMSF Small and Marginal Scale Farmers TWG Technical Working Group UNO Upazila Nirbahi Officers VGF Vulnerable Group Feeding UN United Nations WFP World Food Programme 3 Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 1. Introduction and Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.1. Context of the Assessment............................................................................................................................. 9 1.2. Objectives .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.3. Methodology ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 1.3.1. The process ............................................................................................................................................. 10 1.3.2. The tools ................................................................................................................................................... 11 2. Damage to Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................... 13 2.1. Crops .................................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2. Livestock and Poultry ................................................................................................................................... 17 2.3. Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................................. 21 2.4. Embankments .................................................................................................................................................. 22 3. Critical Impacts on Food Security ..................................................................................................................... 23 3.1. Food Consumption......................................................................................................................................... 23 3.2. Livelihood groups worst affected ............................................................................................................ 25 3.3. Vulnerable Labour Market ......................................................................................................................... 25 3.4. Purchasing Power .......................................................................................................................................... 26 3.5. External Assistance ....................................................................................................................................... 27 3.6. Coping Strategy Index .................................................................................................................................. 27 3.7. Market Stability ............................................................................................................................................... 28 3.8. Loan for Food ................................................................................................................................................... 29 4. Observations on Nutrition ................................................................................................................................... 29 5. Need Analysis ............................................................................................................................................................ 32 5.1. Priority Needs .................................................................................................................................................. 32 5.2. Area and population in need of food and cash assistance ............................................................. 32 5.3. Area and population in need of agricultural assistance ................................................................. 33 6. Recommendations ................................................................................................................................................... 35 6.1. Recommendations on Food Security and Nutrition: .................................................................. 35 6.2. Agricultural Sector Specific Recommendation .............................................................................. 37 Annexes 1 - 17 4 Executive Summary The coastal region of Bangladesh was hit by Tropical Storm Mahasen on May 16, 2013. Following an initial rapid assessment, the Food Security Cluster (FSC) along with Nutrition Cluster decided to carry out a detailed assessment in the three worst affected districts. The districts are Barguna, Bhola and Patuakhali. The major objective of this in depth assessment was to assess the damages to agriculture, food security and estimate the number of households in need of immediate assistance. The assessment was carried out in the worst affected districts and unions, which were identified by Phase 1 findings and consensus by the FSC members, including the United Nations (UN), international/Non Governmental Organizations (I/NGO) and the Government of Bangladesh. The assessment had two parts the i) food security and nutrition and the ii) agriculture. The food security and nutrition assessment was based on statistically representative household survey, a market survey and some key informant interviews (KII). The agricultural assessment was based on KII with local level relevant government officials and key stakeholders and based on secondary level data from the Government. The data collection was conducted from 28 May to 2 June 2013. Following are the key findings from the assessment. Food Security: Food consumption was reduced significantly by the affected population. Daily meal consumption reduced by 0.5 times (from 2.8 times daily to 2.3 times). But most importantly, they feel that the food quantity is very insufficient. In terms of food consumption about 27 percent of the surveyed households fall in the poor consumption group and 48 percent in the borderline group. As the affected area suffered from continuous rainfall for more than two weeks, households have lost income/wages as well as assets to buy food. Limited food support from government met the demand for rice only but protein and vegetables were lacking. About 68 percent of the population did not receive any food support. Moreover, people started to take loan to buy food. About 76 percent of those who are taking loans are borrowing for food only. Livelihoods worst affected: Day labourers, marginal farmers and the fishing community especially those involved in aquaculture were identified as worst affected livelihoods. Damage of standing crops in the field, loss of employment opportunities and damage to fisheries have made these livelihoods most vulnerable. Consequently there are high levels of food insecurity in the 5 households depending on these livelihoods. Of the total households with poor food consumption