23 March 2012: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has called for urgent funding to implement, over the next 90 days, a plan to give farmers and pastoralists in the Horn of Africa means to build resilience to future shocks. Activities for which the $50 million is being sought include crop and livestock production, and cash-for work programmes to restore infrastructure.

Following the famine of 2011, the climate outlook for 20012 indicates a likelihood of below to near normal rainfall for much of the Horn of Africa. According to FAO, while an end to famine conditions was declared in Somalia recently, over 2.5 million people remain in crisis, and are particularly vulnerable to future shocks, such as drought.

In April, FAO is planning to distribute improved maize, sorghum and sesame seeds and fertilizers. Since the start of the 2011 crisis, the FAO has organized large scale cash- or voucher-for-work programmes across the Horn of Africa while restoring infrastructure. FAO’s efforts seek to build the resilience of local populations and link relief with development. The FAO’s total appeal for 2012 in the Horn of Africa is over $290 million for emergency needs and longer-term development operations. Less than half of this need has been received to date. [FAO Press Release] [UN Press Release]