Action by Churches Together (ACT) Appeal - Armenia Emergency Drought Assistance - EUAR-01 Appeal Target: US$ 103,670 Geneva, 3 December 2000
The severe drought plaguing Central and South Asia, the Middle East and Caucasus has had a dramatic impact on the overall humanitarian situation in Armenia. Extremely high temperatures and low precipitation prevailing in the summer months have led to a continued and intensified drought situation. Significant losses of crops and livestock, deterioration of sanitary conditions, as well as exacerbation of the already dire conditions of the poor and most vulnerable members of the population are reported. Even under normal circumstances poor farmers can barely produce enough for their own household consumption. Armenia is a highly food insecure country with 28 percent of the population undernourished. The Armenia Round Table office, World Council of Churches (Armenia RT) proposes assisting 6,000 of the most vulnerable rural families in the most drought afflicted regions of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh with basic food relief (wheat or flour). Project Completion Date: Estimated for 31 May 2001. Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested US$ Total Appeal Target(s) 103,670 Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd. 0 Balance Requested from ACT Network 103,670 Ms. Genevieve Jacques Thor-Arne Prois Rev. Rudolf Hinz Director ACT Coordinator Director WCC/Cluster on Relations LWF/World Service ACT Member Information Armenia Round Table office, World Council of Churches (Armenia RT) Implementing ACT MEMBER & PARTNER INFORMATION Description of ACT Member The Ecumenical Round Table was set up on the initiative of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the World Council of Churches, with the participation of the Armenian Catholic and Armenian Evangelical Churches. The Round Table Programme actually began in 1996. It brings together Armenian churches, local non-governmental organisations, church-related partners of the WCC and of the Catholic Church with a shared commitment to working together to address some of the fundamental social and economic problems of the country. The Round Table is an association of inter-church, non-governmental and non-profit partners. It offers a platform where partnership can be implemented through concrete actions. The Round Table's main instruments are its projects and loans for developmental assistance in the two priority sectors of education and social diaconia. Armenia RT implemented an ACT assisted a flood emergency project back in 1997 when it took part in relief/rehabilitation assistance in South Armenia which included repairs of water lines, operation of soup kitchens for flood victims, flood clean-up, medical supplies for hospitals and agricultural seeds for the farmers affected by the floods. IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER & PARTNER INFORMATION Field offices of three member Churches, working in partnership with WCC Armenia RT will implement this project. Church structures are invited to participate in this undertaking because there is a general expectation and, especially on the part of the rural population, for assistance from churches. Moreover, the activity will promote the role of churches in Armenia. DESCRIPTION OF EMERGENCY SITUATION Background The severe drought plaguing Central and South Asia, Middle East and Caucasus has had a dramatic impact on the overall humanitarian situation in Armenia. Extremely high temperatures and low precipitation prevailing in the summer months have led to a continued and intensified drought and aridity. Significant losses of crops and livestock, deterioration of sanitary conditions, as well as exacerbation of conditions for the poor and most vulnerable members of the population are reported. Since June 2000, hot and dry conditions have affected crop production. Both winter and spring rain-fed cereal crops have been drastically reduced, particularly in the northern regions of Tavush, Lori, Shirak and Gegharkunik. The potato crop was also severely affected. The problem of low water level in rivers due to the drought was compounded by the poor condition of the irrigation systems. Crop production is down 27 per cent for wheat and barley and 40 percent for potato production, a major staple crop particularly in rural areas, as compared to the 1999 harvest. The drought has also had a devastating effect on feed for livestock. The fall in feed has led to under-nutrition of livestock, which may result in an increase in mortality in the winter months. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia has appealed to the Governments of all nations, international organisations and the international community to assist in the elimination of the dire effects of a prolonged drought and aridity in the country. Direct losses alone are valued at 40 million US Dollars, according to the estimates of the Government. Current Situation The total wheat and barley import requirement in 2000/2001 (June-July) is estimated at 502,000 tons. With a projected commercial import of about 357,000 tons and pledged food aid of 70,000 tons, the uncovered wheat and barley deficit amounts to 75,000 tons. Given the country's economical difficulties, this difference, if not addressed by the international community, could severely affect vulnerable groups, particularly in rural areas. Food prices are relatively stable in most urban markets where imported food is available. However, access to food by rural households has become exceedingly difficult as they have lost most of their produce and have little to sell or barter. Sales and slaughtering of livestock which, apart from their direct contribution to rural household diets, provide up to a third of household income in rural areas, have already increased thus depressing household incomes further. Beef and pork price decreases have already been reported by the WFP market price survey of basic food items. The effect of the drought has impacted urban population less, due to the comparatively better economic conditions than in rural areas and greater access to imports. Impact on Human Lives After a decade of high levels of unemployment, low wages and depletion of savings, living conditions are already precarious for most of the population, particularly in rural areas. With the added effects of the drought, a large number of the rural population is expected to face serious food shortages. Description of Damages The negative effects of the drought greatly exacerbate the vulnerability among the poorest segments of population. Even under normal circumstances poor farmers can barely produce enough for their own household food consumption. Armenia is a highly food insecure country with 28 percent of the population undernourished. According to the FAO/WFP assessment mission report, the population most affected by the drought is around 297,000 farmers in Shirak, Lori, Tavush, Gegahrkunuk, Aragatsotn, Kotayk. Syunik and Karabagh regions, accounting for more than 20,000 affected households. Locations for Proposed Response Seven regions of Armenia: Aragatsotn, Lori, Tavush, Gegharkunik, Shirak, Kotayk, Syunik and Nagorno Karabagh. Disaster and Emergency Statistics According to Government data, overall grain losses in the country are more than 100,000 tons equivalent to over USD 13,3 million. Potato loss is more than 90,000 tons (USD 10,4 million), vegetable losses make up 70,000 tons (USD 5.8 million), losses in forage units are as high as 116,40 tons (USD 5,4 million). Direct losses in agriculture are estimated at USD 40,0 million. Per FAO/WFP estimates more than 94,250 households are in critical need of food assistance in rural areas of Armenia with the situation being especially serious in seven regions - Syunik, Shirak, Tavush, Lori, Aragatsotn, Kotayk along with Nagorno Karabagh. Current Security Situation Currently there are no concerns regarding security issues in Armenia. GOAL & OBJECTIVES Goal: To assist the most vulnerable groups of the rural population in the most drought affected regions along with Nagorno Karabagh to cope with the difficulties created by the severe and prolonged drought. Objectives: To increase food security and improve nutritional status among the most vulnerable households of the most affected regions in Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. TARGETED BENEFICIARIES Armenia RT food assistance will target the most vulnerable households in those regions most affected by the drought. Target numbers below are based on results of assessment completed by RT as well as WFP/FAO data: Aragatsotn - 435 households Lori - 1,090 households Tavush - 765 households Gegharkunik - 820 households Syunik - 820 households Kotayk - 545 households Shirak - 1,090 households Nagorno Karabagh - 435 households TOTAL: 6,000 households Criteria that will be Utilised in Beneficiary Selection Armenia RT staff will work closely with international organisations (WFP, FAO, UMCOR), local government bodies, field offices of sister churches and dioceses to identify the group of affected rural households who are eligible for assistance and who were not covered by other donors. Drought related criteria are applied for selection of beneficiaries. Diocese and field office representatives will contact local authorities and provide the lists of potential beneficiaries to the RT office. The information will be cross-checked with international organisations by the RT. Finalised lists will be further passed to implementing partners. PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION Description of Assistance Food commodities:- wheat flour - one 50 kg bag per household. Implementation Description The purchase of food will be made locally. The RT office will conduct a survey and decide whether to purchase flour or wheat, which will later be ground and transported to the regions for further distribution by the representatives assigned by the implementing partners as per finalised beneficiary lists. The copies of signed distribution lists will be submitted to the RT office upon completion of the food distribution. Required personnel: an Emergency officer responsible for all operations will organise the purchase of flour or wheat then, in case of wheat, organise its grinding in the mills followed by transportation to the regions and then on to distribution sites at the project's expense. 10 assistants will be required to carry out distribution in the villages. No field offices are required as the distribution will be conducted through the dioceses and field offices under the supervision of the heads of the dioceses and field offices. One car for the officer and eight to ten trucks will be rented. Records will be kept to track distribution of flour and as a basis for future reporting. ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING Administration The overall project management, implementation, reporting and accounting will be responsibility of WCC Armenia RT. Monitoring Procedures Monitoring will be undertaken by the RT office staff to ensure the compliance of implementing partners with the requirements of RT and ACT. The impact on the targeted beneficiaries will be assessed as well. IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE Within six months after funds are available - estimated around 31 May 2001 CO-ORDINATION A number of international organisations plan to provide food assistance in Armenia. WCC Armenia RT participates in a Task Force group under the patronage of WFP that co-ordinates efforts of the international organisations in providing assistance for overcoming drought effects in Armenia. Armenia RT will work closely with the organisations involved so as to avoid duplication of assistance. BUDGET ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Unit Units US$ US$ Relief Food distribution Wheat flour Bag 6,000 14 84,000 Material transport, Storage, Warehousing and Handling Fuel for trucks and cars Month 3 2,000 6,000 Fuel for cars Month 6 250 1,500 Maintenance Month 6 150 900 Rental of vehicles Month 3 400 1,200 Sub total 9,600 Material Transport, Storage, Warehousing & Handling Labor fees for loading Month 3 700 2,100 Personnel, Administration, Operations and Support Salaries Emergency Officer Month 6 400 2,400 Regional Assistants (10) Month 3 1,000 3,000 Office Operations Communications Month 6 35 210 Travel & perdiem Day 35 20 700 Mobile phone Month 6 60 360 Stationery & office supplies Month 6 50 300 Sub total 6,970 Audit fees Lumpsum 1,000 TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 103,670 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide alliance of churches and their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency response. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ecumenical Centre Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33 150, route de Ferney Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06 1211 Geneva 2 Telex: 415 730 OIK CH Switzerland http://www.act-intl.org distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -