| Afghanistan 2012 |
| Appealing Agency | OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB) (OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB)) |
| Project Title | Emergency drought response in Faryab and Sari Pul provinces of Northern Afghanistan |
| Project Code | AFG-12/A/46015 |
| Sector/Cluster | FOOD SECURITY AND AGRICULTURE |
| Refugee Project | No |
| Objectives | To enhance the food and livelihood security of drought affected farmers and livestock holders through farm based and livestock interventions, assuring that women’s needs are addressed and that women’s participation and leadership are an integral part of the planning and implementation processes |
| Beneficiaries | Total: 58,737 Total: 58,737 individuals (8391 households, average household size 7 persons) Female: 17,076 Children (under 18): 17,631 Other group: 24,030 community men |
| Implementing Partners | CHA and COAR |
| Project Duration | Jan 2012 - Dec 2012 |
| Current Funds Requested | $5,253,092 |
| Location | Multiple locations |
| Priority / Category | A. HIGH |
| Gender Marker Code | 1 - The project is designed to contribute in some limited way to gender equality |
| Subset of Appeal | |
| Contact Details | James Arputharaj, James.Williams@oxfamnovib.nl, +93(0)795391309 |
| Enhanced Geographical Fields | | Northern - Sari Pul | | Northern - Faryab |
|
| Cash Based Intervention | | Is any part of this project cash transfer programming (including vouchers)? | No | | Conditionality: | | | Restrictions: | | | Estimated percentage of project requirements to be used for cash/vouchers: | 0 |
|
Needs
Needs
Lack of snow during winter and rains during the spring has resulted in dryness impacting different areas of the country – mainly in the Northern, North Eastern, Western and Central Highlands regions. The humanitarian community anticipates significant deterioration in population’s access to food due to failure of the rain fed wheat crop and the deterioration in pastures for livestock. A Ministry of Agriculture Prospectus Report released in mid June 2011 indicates a cereal deficit of approximately two million MTs, almost three times the amount in 2010. Agriculture Productive Report (MAIL, 2011) states that in Faryab wheat harvest is reduced by 59% and by 65% in Saripul compared to average of year 2002 to 2010.
The Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA) conducted by WFP and partner NGOs reveals that population who rely on rain fed agriculture for both subsistence farming and wage labour are facing food crisis situation for the remainder of 2011 and this state will remain in effect until the harvest in June 2012. During July FSAC partners completed an initial investigation of the impact of the drought in 13 provinces. As a result of this process, areas in Herat, Badghis, Faryab, Jawazjan, Saripul, Balkh and Samangan were identified as being drought affected. Vulnerable populations in these areas would require emergency food assistance and also agriculture assistance to maintain household food security levels between the end of August 2012 and the harvest in 2012.
Oxfam Novib carried out EFSA, taking into account the impact of the drought on local markets, in Shirin Tagab district of Faryab province and Shozma Qala and Sangcharak districts of Saripul province with partners CHA and COAR. Markets are functioning, and prices have stabilized somewhat lately. Since harvests are poor and people are relying more on the market, the drought affected people included in the assessment identified a need for cash to access food. The EFSA consolidated results for all drought-affected areas indicate these three districts as requiring emergency food and water assistance urgently. The assessment results show population movement out of this region in search of employment and distress sale of livestock as their coping mechanism. Women tend to be even more malnutritioned than others, as they will prioritize meals for their children over meals for themselves.
Oxfam Novib’s assessment of 150 households (HHs) sample in three districts indicates that 98% of families in August 2011 had a cereal stock for less than two weeks in assessment villages. Fifty six per cent of the HHs had lost total rain fed crop in this season, while 42% have faced crop yield reduction. Average HH has 7 livestock reduced in its asset; three due to death and four sold to purchase food for family. Of the surveyed HHs, 80% are in debt and, of this, 72% of debt was taken to buy food and 12% for health expenses. Only 20% of HHs are still creditworthy enough to get more debt from market. Thirty one per cent of HHs stated that food is the utmost priority following animal feed (19%), cash (19%) and drinking water (17%). Eighty eight per cent suggested response measures in lines with cash for work activities. Due to these acute needs, during November and December Oxfam Novib is implementing a first phase drought response which will be followed-up from January onwards with CAP 2012.
Activities
Activities
1. Cash for Work: Oxfam Novib and its partners in the targeted 63 villages will undertake a CFW activities spread over three
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phases, viz. pre winter (October and November 2011, 40 days), during winter (December 2011 – March 2012, 15 days) and spring (April 2012 onwards, 15 days before next harvesting). 8391 HH x 70 days x 4 dollars per day, which is the average wage rate for these three targeted districts). The first phase of work aims to ensure immediate access to food through prioritizing building assets that also enhance access to water. CFW during the winter months is designed to include winter-proof activities, such as clearing of access roads. Based on the priority and need of villages, CFW schemes will be selected from the range of activities that include rehabilitation of existing water supply/storage facilities, deepening of existing wells and if required also construction of new kandas (tanks to store snow water in hills), and spring protection. These activities will help improve access to safe drinking water.To increase agricultural and livestock productivity and resilience, activities like low cost soil and moisture conservation, irrigation improvement including canal repairing, plantation and pasture land development will be planned and carried out. Women beneficiaries will be covered through activities that are suitable and aim to be empowering, as well as to reduce future vulnerabilities to drought and other natural disasters.
2. Seed distribution: The project will distribute certified wheat seeds to 5040 households in 63 targeted villages for the next planting seasons. Seed distribution will be in line with MAIL policies and coordinated with MAIL and FAO to avoid duplication. Each household will be given 50kg of wheat seed to plant for this season with an approximate cost of 36$ per bag of 50 Kg wheat seed.
3. Livestock interventions: Fodder distribution of 100Kg per household and all the 2722 HH will be covered (75 $ per 100 kg of fodder and 20 $ for vaccinating and de worming of two animals). Livestock vaccination and de worming will be immediately taken up to stop further loss of livestock. Pastureland development work as part of CFW will positively contribute to building resilience in this area. This livestock intervention will include women as the main caretakers of livestock, will be in line with MAIL policies and will be coordinated with MAIL and FAO to avoid duplication.
Outputs
Outcomes
1. 8391 families will have food security for the next one year.
2. 5040 households have seeds for next planting season increasing their chances of better harvest for 2012 and thus have better prospects for long term food security.
3. 63 village communities have improved water supply, agriculture and irrigation assets and are able to sustain livestock assets in challenging times and improved assets imparting them with better resilience for future shocks.
For measuring in how far project outcomes are reached, a Performance Measurement Matrix will be used which is based on the logframe. There will be monthly progress reports, regular project visits of both Oxfam Novib and partners (security situation allowing) and a Real Time Evaluation. In addition, a consultant will work with the partners on developing remote monitoring tools. Beneficiary data will be disaggregated by age and gender.
RPM Activities and Indicators
| OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB) (OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB)) |
| Original BUDGET items | $ |
| Staff costs and Salary | 359,941 |
| Program cost | 4,282,385 |
| Office and Implementation cost | 225,460 |
| Project Support Cost (Indirect Cost Recovery) | 385,306 |
| 0 |
| 0 |
| 0 |
|
| Total | 5,253,092 |
| OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB)(OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB)) |
| Current BUDGET items | $ |
| Staff costs and Salary | 359,941 |
| Program cost | 4,282,385 |
| Office and Implementation cost | 225,460 |
| Project Support Cost (Indirect Cost Recovery) | 385,306 |
| 0 |
| 0 |
| 0 |
|
| Total | 5,253,092 |
ACTIVITY DETAILS
NO