Emergency Assistance in Support of Food Security Recovery of Drought-Affected Communities - TCP/MAS/3601
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The Republic of the Marshall Islands has historically faced numerous challenges with regard to the accessibility of consistent water supplies. In 2015/16, an estimated 21 000 people were affected by severe drought conditions as a result of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. A State of Emergency was declared in March 2016 and support was requested from the World Bank to conduct a Post Disaster Needs Assessment to evaluate the economic effects of the drought, while the Pacific Community was asked to assess key sectors, including agriculture, water and health. The monetary value of the effects of the drought, in early 2016, was estimated at USD 4.9 million. Although this was equivalent to only 3.4 percent of the 2015 gross domestic product for the country as a whole, the consequences of the drought on agricultural production were critical, as the agriculture sector is of primary importance to self-employed communities in outer islands, where the cultivation and processing of copra, and the sale of fish, bananas, pumpkins and handicrafts are the main sources of cash income. In response to this situation, a nine-month Drought Immediate and Near Response Plan was endorsed by the Government for USD 8.9 million, of which USD 3.1 million would meet food security needs. The aim of the project was to increase resilience and contribute to restoring the food security of at least 560 drought-affected households (HHs) in the six most affected atolls (Arno, Aur, Maloelap, Mejit, Namu and Wotje) in a sustainable manner. This would be achieved by distributing drought-resistant and saline-tolerant crops, by providing training in sustainable agriculture in drought-prone areas to farmers, women and youth, and by supporting the Government in monitoring the outcome of the training and seed distribution in order to inform future sustainable response practices and future action plans.