SATKHIRA FOOD SECURITY CLUSTER COORDINATION MEETING NOTE FOR THE RECORD DATE Tuesday 28 February TIME 15:00 VENUE Satkhira DC Office CHAIR Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain Howlader - Satkhira FACILITATOR Syed S. Arefeen, Head of Southern Operations WFP AGENDA 1. Food Security Cluster Update (FAO and WFP) Satkhira Flood and Water Logging: 2. Relief assistance provided so far by GoB and future planning (DRRO/DC Office) 3. Relief and recovery assistance (Food Security and Nutrition) provided so far by the UN and NGOs and the ongoing/future activities (ECHO partner INGOs, WFP) 4. Agricultural Situation Update (FAO) 5. FSC Coordination Satkhira 6. AOB 1. Food Security Cluster Update (WFP and FAO) The Deputy Commissioner (chair) welcomed all participants to the food security cluster (FSC) meeting arranged by WFP and FAO to introduce the FSC concept and to discuss the progress of food security programs and general response to water logging in Satkhira. WFP (facilitator) thanked the Deputy Commissioner, FAO and all present for attending the meeting. A brief introduction to the Food Security Cluster (FSC) and the new cluster approach for food security response coordination in humanitarian emergencies was provided by FAO. It was highlighted that the cluster is co-led by FAO and WFP with a global cluster support team based in Rome. The key objective of the FSC is to coordinate the food response during a humanitarian crisis, addressing issues of food availability, access and utilization. The FSC therefore aims to provide a mechanism for the cluster leads, WFP and FAO, and cluster members to improve planning and ensure proportionate, appropriate and timely food security responses with a focus on operational gap filling and elimination of duplication of assistance. It was emphasized that though FAO and WFP have a key role as cluster leads, the success depends on the contributions and active participation of all relevant partners and stakeholders. In Bangladesh, where FAO and WFP are introducing the cluster coordination mechanism to prepare for a coordinated approach in time for a likely disaster (e.g. cyclone), it is felt that Satkhira provides a good starting point. FAO stressed that the 1 | P a g e Government of Bangladesh, during a mission from the global FSC support team in Rome, confirmed that they would like to see a framework in place before a new natural disaster (e.g. cyclone). The FSC Information Manager on mission in Bangladesh for two months continued to explain that the cluster approach in Bangladesh will include the setting up of a information platform and a more formal coordination mechanism so the cluster is ready to respond immediately in case of a major emergency. This will include formulating an FSC action plan so there is a clear idea of what steps to take if a major emergency hits Bangladesh, consolidating up to date directories of all actors in the area of FS / Livelihoods to ensure sufficient communication and more importantly collecting Who/What/Where (3W) information from all relevant actors to get a sense of the current capacity in different disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh. This capacity will then be mapped. The information manager will start meeting with key NGOs in Dhaka over the next week in order to gather the “who, what and where” information. The FSC will also work on having a dedicated FSC Bangladesh website to facilitate timely exchange and sharing of all relevant information (cluster maps, NGO progress reports, assessment reports, baseline information etc). Moreover, given the need to better coordinate/consolidate assessments in case of a major emergency, WFP and FAO are now in the process of coming up with one common set of assessment tools based on the discussions during the recent FSC assessment training workshop in Dhaka. These will be shared with all cluster colleagues over the next few weeks. Following the initial introductions to the FSC, the round the table introductions commenced. 2. Relief assistance provided so far by GoB and future planning (DRRO/DC Office) District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) provided an overview of the damage caused by the flood/water logging in Satkhira whilst highlighting the Relief and Rehabilitation activities: Out of 7 upazilas, 6 upazilas and 2 municipalities were severely affected by the flood/water logging. Approximately 200,000 households (HH) were affected by the flood, 28,000 houses totally damaged, 44,000 houses partially damaged, 6 km embankments totally destroyed and another 60 km embankments partially damaged whilst around 520 km of road were damaged. In addition, around 550 educational, religious and different social institutions were destroyed and/or damaged directly by the flood/water logging and a vast part of the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sector in the district was also damaged. As an immediate response, the Government provided a total of 1700 MT rice whilst BDT 18.15 Million in cash were distributed amongst the flood/water logging households. In addition, BDT 100,000 in cash was distributed for immediate house repairs. Food support was moreover given to 18,884 households through vulnerable group feeding (VGF) card and food for work support was also implemented on a small scale in the area. In addition to Government assistance, around 28 NGOs/development institutions/agencies have provided food and shelter support to the flood/water logging victims in Satkhira in all 6 upazilas and 2 municipal areas. The DRRO also highlighted WFP’s immediate flood response including the distribution of 105 MT of high energy biscuits to an initial 11,500 households and then again to 23,500 households. It was noted that WFP also provided a food package (40 kg rice, 3 kg pulses and 3.67 kg vegetable oil per HH) to 28,000 households from October-November, 2011. Moreover, in December 2011, 15 kg rice and BDT 1000 in cash were distributed to the households whilst in January 2012, BDT 1,500/- per household was distributed. It was also noted that WFP is distributing wheat soya blended food (WSB) (6 kg per HH) for children under 5, pregnant and lactating women for emergency nutrition activity. The DRRO moreover advised the group that the following GOB activities are ongoing and implemented through Relief and Rehabilitation Ministry: Food for Work (Kabikha): DRRO office is implementing 386 schemes against 5,219 MT food 2 | P a g e TR Programme: a total of 1,395 educational, religious and social institutions, repairmen and maintenance work are ongoing against an allocation of 2285 MT food Implementation of a total of 10 culvert/bridge project schemes has commenced against an allocation of BDT 27.5 million (cash). Government 80-Day Cash for Work Programme: GoB has started 80 days of cash for work for 17,721 participants in Satkhira district. A total of BDT 137.84 million (for first 40 days allocation of cash) for 264 schemes has been allocated DRRO office schemes are mainly focussing on developing a drainage system for removing the water logging. However, the DRRO emphasised that though the GoB is trying to ensure food security for Satkhira flood/water logging victims through various safety net programmes, this support is insufficient to cover the huge number victims. The facilitator noted that with the GoB, INGOs, NGOs and UN working hand in hand, the situation has been significantly improved but the problem and crisis continues to require attention. 3. Relief and recovery assistance (Food Security and Nutrition) provided so far by the UN and NGOs and the ongoing/future activities (ECHO partner INGOs, WFP) The facilitator handed over to the consortium leads and key agencies to provide brief presentations. NARRI Consortium: Concern advised that NARRI – with ECHO funding – are working to address food security issues and needs in waterlogged areas with projects starting in December 2011 and finishing in June 2012. Following the initial needs assessment in August, a second joint assessment was completed in December and based on the findings 9,600 families have been targeted for assistance. Six INGOs under NARRI consortium are currently working in Satkhira (OXFAM, Islamic Relief, Concern World Wide, Solidarity International, Care and Action Aid) and undertaking two interventions funded by ECHO – cash for work and cash for training. In Satkhira, CARE and OXFAM will implement through local NGOs (such as Shushilan). The cash for work recovery phase activity will cover 40 days (BDT 175 per day per participant) and after the completion of the 40 days, each participant will receive BDT 7,000. Under cash for training participants will partake in 5 training sessions and will receive BDT 3,500. It was noted that the emergency phase has been completed whilst the recovery phase is still to commence. The NARRI consortium is also working on advocating Government programmes such as rehabilitation and river canal re-excavation activities for the assigned area. Action Aid added that the area selection has been finalized and the beneficiary selection is currently ongoing and should be completed by first week of March. They are currently awaiting NGO approval. OXFAM informed the group of further cash for work and cash for training activities in Gabura Union of Shymnagar Upazila – a total of 5,000 households are receiving support with 20 percent of the 5,000 receiving livelihood support. [A PowerPoint from NARRI will be circulated with the NFR]. Muslim Aid Consortium (Muslim Aid, DanChurch and Christian Aid): DanChurch advised that their ECHO funded cash for work and cash for training programme currently is implemented in 16 unions of Tala, Assassuni, Debhata and Kalaroa Upazilas with support provided to a total of 13,530 households. Programmes for 60 percent of all beneficiaries have already been completed. [A PowerPoint from Muslim Aid will be circulated with the NFR].