2. Highlights on the Draft HCT Post Drought Position Paper

Date: Thursday 2nd Feb 2017

Agenda 1. Review of previous meeting minutes 2. Highlights on the Draft HCT Post Drought Position Paper 3. Presentation of 2017 Seasonal Forecast-FEWSNET 4. Overview of Planned FSC After Action Review 5. AOB

1.0 Review of previous meeting minutes  The FSC coordinator read out the minutes from the previous meeting highlighting December 2016 cluster updates, the SETSAN presentation, overview of post March Position Paper and second season planning as the key issues that were discussed in the previous meeting.  He indicated that new FSC updates could not be presented in the current meeting as the cluster was still in the process of compiling the data from partners.  He highlighted the key issue emerging from the SETSAN assessment as the increase in the number of people requiring assistance from 1.4 million in July 2016 to 2.1 million through March 2017. He also indicated that SETSAN plans to undertake a rapid assessment in March 2017 focusing mainly on nutrition while a comprehensive national assessment focusing on both nutrition and food security would be undertaken in May/June 2017.  The Cluster Coordinator mentioned that as indicated in the previous meeting, the consolidated draft of the position paper had been finalized and shared with donors for their input. He indicated that Leo from RCO would be giving a briefing on the scenarios in the consolidated draft.  The cluster coordinator indicated that DFID was interested in knowing about the accessibility of low lands by poor households for potential second season planning. Members indicated that most poor households had access to land hence support in terms of seeds and agriculture inputs during the second season would be rational.  The FSC coordinator indicated that the two action points during the previous meeting were met. These are; sharing draft cluster position paper for inputs by members and sharing templates that members should use for indicating the preliminary post March project plans.

1 2.0 Highlights on the Draft HCT Post Drought Position Paper  Leo from the RCOs office presented the three scenarios that have been proposed in the draft HCT Position Paper. The number of people under the first, second and third Scenario is estimated at 210,000, 420,000 and 630,000 respectively.  Each scenario is accompanied by a funding projection. The funding estimates were done by determining the cost of reaching each beneficiary based on the current SRP value and multiplying this value with the projected number of post March beneficiaries under each scenario.  The consolidated draft HCT Position Paper was shared with the Humanitarian Donor Group who had the impression that the projections with regard to the number of food insecure persons could be quite optimist. The Humanitarian Donor Group will review the paper and get back to the HCT within two weeks.  The HCT is however conscious of the fact that new data will be available in the coming months. Available data will be studied to refine and strengthen the position of the HCT with regard to planned humanitarian interventions in the country. One of the potential and immediate sources of information was identified as the upcoming MASA crop assessment.  Members noted that while projecting the needs will be important, it will also be important to know the carry over resources that could be used to meet residual humanitarian needs beyond March 2017. Members however noted that this will be more feasible by end of February 2017 as new needs e.g. from floods are emerging and some of the funds could be re-programmed before end of March 2017.  FEWSNET was requested to provide their opinion on two issues. The first was whether assistance should stop by end of March 2017 and the second was whether assistance should reduce once households start having access to green harvest. On the first question FEWSNET indicated that although traditionally assistance ends in March, there is need for an assessment to determine residual needs from April. On the second question FEWSNET indicated that green harvests do not necessarily imply that households are food secure. It is hence more advisable that rations be adjusted basing the available of the main harvests.

3.0 Presentation of 2017 Seasonal Forecast-FEWSNET  FEWSNET made a presentation on the most recent forecast for the season. FEWSNET indicated that the presentation would primarily focus on the crop and rainfall forecast for the season and not necessarily the food security situation, which would be covered in the next outlook.

2  FEWSNET noted that the previous forecasts i.e. normal to below normal rainfalls in the north and normal to above normal rainfalls in the central and southern part of Mozambique are consistent with the actual situation in January 2017.  In most of southern and central region, cumulative rainfall for the 2016/2017 season is above the cumulative levels for 2015/2016 season as well as the long term mean although the opposite is true in the northern part of the country (Niasa, Nampula, Cabo Delgado).  FEWSNET noted that although this would ideally be a concern as the north primarily supplies the country with food, the situation is likely to balance out given likely good harvests in the central and southern parts of the country.  It will however be important to keep an eye on the north given the poor rainfall distribution compared to the rest of the country. On the other hand, too much rains in the central and the south could also have other negative effects e.g. destruction of crops and preventing farmers from regular weeding hence leading to pests and diseases. Close monitoring of the season throughout the country remains critical.  In terms of food prices, projections indicate that there is likely to be a reduction in the country due to potentially good harvests. For example, in Sofala and Tete, some traders are already releasing old stock in anticipation of a good season. This is already contributing to a reduction in food prices.  In terms of the current food security status, the lower part of Zambezia and the rest of the country are expected to remain in crisis until the end of March 2017. After March, the food security situation is likely to improve and the classification is also likely to change.  From July 2017, the FEWSNET regional outlook indicates that the food security classification is likely to reduce to level 1 (minimal food insecurity). However this only implies that less than 20% of the population is in level 2 (stress) or above. Consequently there are likely to be pockets of the population requiring some form of assistance despite lower levels of food insecurity.  Finally, FEWSNET was requested to provide some clarification on the contribution of the informal seed sector to agriculture production. FEWSNET indicated that there is insufficient data in terms of the actual contribution but it is evident from the field that the majority of farmers rely on informal seed networks. This is because farmers employ various coping mechanisms to access money to buy seeds, which are in fact sold on various local markets. However quality remains an issue due to the lack of certification.

4.0 Overview of Planned 2017 FSC After Action Review  The FSC Coordinator indicated that the cluster is planning to undertake an After Action Review in March 2017. A TOR has been developed and will be circulated with members for feedback. The workshop will involve a process of information collection followed by a one- day workshop.

3 5.0 AOB  The FSC mentioned that the Regional IPC Coordinator for FAO would be in Mozambique during the next FSC meeting and plans to make a presentation on the IPC. The Cluster Coordinator encouraged members to be present as this would be a good opportunity to clarify on some of the issues of concern to the members.

6.0 Summary of key action points  Antonio will share the presentation made as well as other country specific FEWSNET products with FSC members.  FSC Coordinator will liaise with FSC members to compile information on unused funds once the Humanitarian Donor Group has discussed the issue.

Participants Name Organisation/Title Phone Email Inacio Pereira FAO 82 060 6660 [email protected] Ken Hasson USAID 823106250 [email protected] Leo Macgillivray OCHA/RCO 84 639 4724 [email protected] Kenneth Anyanzo Coordinator-FSC 82 988 4959 [email protected] Renata Jagustovic WFP [email protected] Samuel Ndeti WFP 84 667 6433 [email protected] Omika Tovela WHH 847644820/84245389 [email protected] 8 Catriona Clunas DFID 84 341 3613 [email protected] Antonio Mavie FEWSNET 82 410 7250 [email protected] Saul Butters COSACA 82 300 1019 [email protected]