Attachments
Foreword
Today, the humanitarian system is under unprecedented strain. Whether due to natural or human-induced crises, the disasters unfolding across the world are not only more frequent, they are also more complex.
The international humanitarian community is increasingly faced with the need to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and crises that are characterized by a combination of multiple and compounding vulnerabilities.
This reality highlights the need for simultaneous action to save lives and livelihoods and to address the root causes of food crises through well-aligned, short-, medium- and long-term contributions from across the humanitarian and development sectors.
Transcending the divides between these sectors to build resilient livelihoods is at the heart of the resilience agenda of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It is also in line with FAO’s commitment to implementing a “new way of working” that meets people’s immediate humanitarian needs while reducing risk and vulnerability, as proposed in the United Nations Secretary-General’s report, “One Humanity: Shared Responsibility”, as well as in the Agenda for Humanity signed on 23 May 2016 at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.
With a presence in Nairobi, Kenya, since 2000, the FAO Resilience Team for Eastern Africa has capitalized on tremendous knowledge and skills across the region, particularly in restoring and supporting resilient livelihoods, with a view to sustaining the various dimensions of peace resolutions. The East Africa Resilience Strategy 2018–2022 and Programme of Work 2018–2019 are fully aligned with FAO’s Strategic Programme 5 and Regional Initiative 3 in supporting food systems and agriculture-based livelihoods, ensuring effective coverage of social protection, addressing issues of land tenure and access to natural resources, and fostering employment opportunities for youth. As such, the Strategy will improve risk-informed development, sustainable livelihoods, social peace, and stability. It will also help people to stay on their land when they feel safe to do so, and create conducive conditions for the return of refugees, migrants and displaced people.
David Phiri
FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa
Representative to the African Union and to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa