OCHA Situation Report No. 3 Armenia - Drought 9 October 2000
The FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission published its report on 6 October 2000 1. In response to a request for international assistance made by the Government of Armenia, the UN Resident Coordinator in Yerevan activated the UN Disaster Management Team and established close coordination with national authorities, donor representatives, as well as OCHA Geneva. In this context, FAO and WFP fielded a Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission, which visited the country from 28 August to 6 September 2000. Their report, issued on 6 October 2000, provides the following data: 2. A severe drought has decimated crops and affected livestock production. Both winter and spring rainfed cereal crops, harvested from July, were drastically reduced, particularly in the northern regions. The drought has also had a devastating effect on range vegetation, which is crucial in the annual feed cycle of livestock. Sale and slaughtering of livestock have already increased, depressing their prices and thus household incomes. 3. The problem of low water levels in rivers and canals due to the drought was compounded by the poor condition of the irrigation systems. Rainfall in important agricultural areas was up to 70 percent below normal in crucial months. The drought has exacerbated problems associated with the crumbling irrigation infrastructure. 4. Aggregate figures for the 2000 wheat and barley output, estimated at 205,000 MT, is down by 27 percent compared to 1999, while potato production fell by nearly 40 percent to 250,000 MT. 5. Wheat and barley import requirements for 2000/2001 (July/June) are estimated at 458,000 MT and 44,000 MT respectively. 6. Some 145,000 MT of cereal food aid are needed in 2000/2001, of which 70,000 MT are already in the pipeline, leaving a shortfall of 75,000. Given the country's economic difficulties, a shortfall of this magnitude, if not addressed by the international community, could severely affect vulnerable groups. 7. Of particular concern are around 297,000 subsistence farmers living in the northern provinces of Tavush, Lori, Shirak, Gegharkunik, Aragatzotn and Kotayk. Consumption of seed grains and slaughtering of livestock, which has already started, will affect their productive capacity and ability to sustain themselves in the coming agricultural seasons. The situation is likely to worsen as the 2000/2001 marketing year progresses. 8. Due to economic hardship, the diet of the vulnerable population has been mainly bread, potatoes and cabbages. Now with the drought even these food items, which by themselves do not constitute an adequate diet, will not be readily available to the drought affected households. The nutritional status of the vulnerable population could be further exacerbated by Armenia's usually harsh winter. A 1998 nutrition survey by UNICEF found that 15 percent of women in the age group of 15-45 years were mildly to moderately anemic. It is now estimated that 50-60 percent of pregnant women are anemic in some regions of the country, according to a recent study by the Ministry of Health. 9. Emergency support to crop and livestock production is urgently needed to revive production capacity in the winter and spring seasons. This emergency support to the agricultural sector should include: support in redistribution of the little available winter wheat seed from some surplus districts (as time is too tight to have imported seed for the planting season); distribution of appropriate seeds of wheat, barley and possibly potatoes, for the spring planting season; distribution of animal feed, as stocks need to be boosted and made accessible to farmers; and rehabilitation of the crumbling irrigation systems. 10. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, of bilateral relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item. 11. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int. Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34 Fax: +41-22-917 00 23 In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10 Desk Officers : Mr. Sergio Piazzi, Mr. Dusan Zupka Direct Tel. +41-22-917 2461 Press contact: (in GVA) Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53 (in NY) Ms. Phyllis Lee direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32 distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -