South: 11,200 people in Kandahar displaced by conflict according to initial reports

Fighting, including airstrikes, that started on 10 July between the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and a Non-State Armed Group (NSAG) continued in Police District 6, 7, 8 and 13 in Kandahar City. An NSAG has reportedly warned residents, including humanitarian organizations in Police District 7 and its vicinity to leave the area due to anticipated violence. The Kandahar-Hirat highway remained closed due to ongoing conflict, checkpoints and the presence of improvised explosive devices. Civilians, including humanitarian workers, are unable to use main roads and are using alternative routes.

According to local authorities, some 11,200 people in contested areas have fled to safer parts of Kandahar city. To address immediate needs, provincial authorities provided internally displaced persons (IDPs) with temporary shelter, but the allotted spaces are insufficient for the number of people who need shelter. Some IDPs are staying with relatives and others are renting accommodations. Interagency teams have deployed to affected areas to assess needs. Local authorities and traders have been providing some cooked food to IDPs. Based on initial reports, food, water, relief items, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance are the most urgent needs.

Overall, four out of five provinces in the south witnessed a spike in conflict during the reporting period as an NSAG continued to expand their control of districts and the outskirts of provincial capitals; and ANSF clearing operation supported by airstrikes continued in Nahr-e-Saraj (Hilmand province), and the outskirts of Kandahar, Lashkargah and Qalat cities. Civilian casualties were reported in Panjwayi, Zheray, Spin Boldak and surrounding areas of provincial capitals, particularly in Kandahar City.

The intermittent closure of both primary and secondary roads to/from districts and provinces continued to hinder the movement of civilians, and the transportation of basic food items and humanitarian/medical supplies. Intermittent outages of mobile service caused some delays in information sharing among humanitarian partners.

Humanitarian partners are urgently working to assess needs and provide aid to displaced people in Kandahar City despite ongoing conflict and other challenges. Between 4 and 6 July, interagency teams provided 759 IDPs in Zabul and Nimroz provinces with food, emergency shelter, relief items, water, sanitation, hygiene and hygiene education, physiotherapy services and cash aid.

North-east: Over 17,000 people affected by conflict provided with aid

An NSAG expanded their territorial control to 58 out of 69 districts (where an estimated 82 per cent of the total population in the north-east live) and provincial capitals are reportedly surrounded. There are reports of NSAG members taxing crops and businesses and allegedly demanding residents provide fighters with food in Takhar and Badakhshan provinces.

Due to ongoing fighting and movement restrictions, humanitarian assistance is currently limited to Government controlled areas and provincial capitals reaching 17,346 people affected by conflict. Ongoing needs assessments identified an additional 11,088 people to receive assistance in the next few days.

East: health facillities closed due to fighting and damage to buildings

The security situation remained volatile as fighting continued and a bridge was reportedly destroyed by a party to the conflict. According to local authorities, health services resumed in Alishang and Dawlatshah districts, Laghman province; and the road between Mehtarlam and Dawlatshah opened for civilian movements.

Between 4 and 5 July, two health facilities in Kunar and Laghman provinces were closed due to fighting that damaged the two buildings. Some civilian homes were reportedly burned. The Protection Cluster in the east is monitoring the protection environment and mobilising partners to address emerging protection issues.

Out of 12,411 people assessed this week, 5,992 IDPs were recommended to receive immediate humanitarian assistance. Interagency teams continued needs assessments in Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman and Kunar provinces. During the reporting period, 4,172 people received humanitarian assistance: 4,116 newly displaced IDPs and 56 undocumented returnees who received post arrival assistance at the Torkham Transit Centre.

This week, 11 mobile health teams provided nutritional aid to IDPs and vulnerable people among host communities in Nangarhar, Laghman and Kunar provinces. A total of 1,590 children under five were screened, among whom 48 suffered from Severe Acute Malnutrition and 100 suffered from Moderate Acute Malnutrition. The severe cases were admitted into therapeutic feeding centres for treatment. In addition, 266 children were provided with vitamin A and 817 pregnant and lactating women received counseling services, and information on breast feeding and COVID-19.

West: Deteriorating security situation and fighting causes sporadic displacement and civilians casualties

The security situation continued to deteriorate in the west as insecurity and armed clashes are putting civilians and humanitarian workers at risk. Due to the unpredictable security situation along the Hirat-Islam Qala road and border, humanitarian partners working at the crossing point temporarily suspended their activities in the area.

Armed clashed are ongoing in all four provinces in the west, causing sporadic displacement towards provincial capitals in Hirat and Ghor as well as across both provinces. All districts in Badghis are currently under the control of an NSAG with fighting reportedly ongoing in the capital, Qala-e-Naw City. According to local authorities, 71 civilians were injured and three others killed due to the recent fighting in the capital.

Needs assessment teams were mobilized and the response to people in need is ongoing although ongoing fighting is hindering the work of the teams in Badghis province. In Hirat, Ghor and Farah provinces, assessment teams have identified at least 3,500 IDPs in the past week, and response to people in need is ongoing.

Centre: Increasing insecurity and violence affecting civilians

The security situation has become increasingly unstable and unpredictable with reports of increased NSAG activities and violence against civilians in Kabul, Logar, Wardak, Parwan, Kapisa, Khost, Ghazni, Paktya, Paktika, Daykundi and Bamyan provinces. On 3 July, in the Qala-e-Kholkhak area in Ghazni province, four civilians were reportedly killed and two others wounded during ANSF ground operations. During the reporting period, 2,114 internally displaced people received humanitarian assistance in Panjsher and Khost provinces, while 12,021 IDPs have been identified to be in need of aid in Kabul, Paktya, Khost, Parwan and Paktika provinces. Joint interagency needs assessments are ongoing for 14,350 IDPs in Bamyan, Daykundi and Lal Wa Sarjangal in Ghor provinces; and 161 people affected by recent natural disasters received humanitarian assistance in Panjsher province.

North: Almost 10,000 people displaced by conflict receive aid

The security situation remained volatile in the north while the situation in Mazar-e-Sharif city remained relatively calm. Joint inter-agency teams identified 8,617 people displaced by conflict as eligible for humanitarian assistance. Aid agencies based in the north distributed humanitarian aid including food, hygiene kits and relief items to 9,828 IDPs in Balkh, Faryab, Samangan provinces.

SUVA, FIJI 25 June 2021 – Today, UNICEF and the Government of New Zealand announce a new NZ$3,030,000 partnership to support the Government of Fiji to respond to the recovery needs of about 90,000 Fijians, including over 30,000 children, affected by Tropical Cyclones Harold, Yasa and Ana. This continues the strong partnership New Zealand has with UNICEF to improve the lives of all children living in Fiji and throughout the Pacific.

“The Government of New Zealand is delighted to partner with UNICEF to provide WASH, education and nutrition services to cyclone affected areas. This support works closely with the Government of Fiji and local community partners to improve hygiene practices and childhood nutrition. This support will help reduce the rates of water borne diseases and child malnutrition and, improve community resilience to future natural disasters. Supporting and enabling good hygiene is a key public health measure in the fight against COVID-19, which makes this support timely and relevant,” said New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E. Mr Jonathan Curr.

These tropical cyclones caused the destruction of essential water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to families, schools and health care facilities, exposing people to the risk of getting sick from unsafe drinking water, open defecation and from not being able to regularly wash their hands with soap and water.

In addition, the combination of the tropical cyclones and ongoing risks related to COVID-19 have created hurdles in ensuring learning continuity and safe school operations. Livelihoods have been damaged leading to rising nutrition issues including concerns on infant and young child feeding practices.

This partnership will support children and families to recover from the impacts of these recent tropical cyclones, and help them to benefit from quality, inclusive, WASH, education and nutrition services. The partnership will also include the roll out of a campaign to promote the full participation of communities in the services available.

“Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, are amongst the most at risk to natural disasters. We thank the Government of New Zealand for this support, and together with the Government of Fiji, partners and communities, we will ensure that the most vulnerable, especially children, have access to good health, nutrition and education,” said UNICEF Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett. “This is crucial, especially with the challenges faced in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters and the ongoing pandemic.”

This three-year partnership plays a key part in supporting the ongoing recovery. It will strengthen the national capacity and focus on sustainable solutions for recovery and resilience of families and communities to cope with any future disasters and climate risks.

###

Notes to Editors:

About New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade:

New Zealand works to advance sustainable development through aid, trade, environment, diplomatic, and security cooperation. New Zealand also provides humanitarian support to save lives and alleviate suffering. The NZ Aid Programme delivers New Zealand’s official support for developing countries, with a particular focus on the Pacific Islands region. The purpose of New Zealand’s aid is to develop shared prosperity and stability in the Pacific and beyond, drawing on the best of New Zealand’s knowledge and skills.

New Zealand support’s sustainable development in developing countries to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world. New Zealand follow’s the principles of understanding, friendship, mutual benefit and collective ambition in designing and delivering the aid programme.

For more information, please contact:

Monika Mala, New Zealand High Commission Suva, Tel: +679 7790805, Monika.Mala@mfat.net Zubnah Khan, UNICEF Pacific, Tel: +679 9988137, zukhan@unicef.org

Media contacts

Zubnah Khan Communication Officer UNICEF Pacific Tel: +679 330 0439 Ext. 175 Tel: 9988137 Email: zukhan@unicef.org

This report is produced by Office of the Resident Coordinator in collaboration with partners.

HIGHLIGHTS

• On 21 June, the Government of Nepal decided to resume more flights with full compliance of public health standards. The Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation has asked Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal to resume international flights from 1 July onwards without exceeding 50 percent of total international flights.

• The monsoon rainfall continues to have a localized impact in some areas. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology the monsoon is currently close to the southern part of the country, and more rainfall is predicted for next week.

• Frontline workers continue to be infected by COVID-19, leading to disruptions in essential humanitarian service delivery.

• On 1 July continuous rainfall affected communities across Bagmati, Gandaki and Province Two, temporarily displacing over 300 households, killing two and damaging 160 houses.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Monsoon rainfall continues to have a localized impact. Local, provincial, and federal governments are engaged in the response. Search and rescue works are predominantly being carried out by federal government agencies. Total monsoon impacts across the country include: 783 displaced families sheltering in various public buildings, significantly increasing COVID-19 transmission risks, 25 deaths, 22 people missing and 1,153 affected families according to Ministry of Home Affairs and Initial Rapid Assessments.

As a part of COVID-19 containment, the government continues prohibitory orders in most of the districts. In Kathmandu valley, the prohibitory orders have been extended until 28 June, and some of the restrictions on the mobility and opening of markets have been revised. Odd-even number plate road access has been introduced on both private and public vehicles and allowed shops and businesses to open on alternative days and times.

(Download Full Situation Report PDF)

Team to work with the Marine Environment Protection Authority and other government agencies

Colombo, 19th June 2021: A UN team of oil spill and chemical experts, provided by the European Union (EU), is working with the Sri Lankan Government to assess the impact on the environment caused by the MV X-press Pearl disaster. The team from the UN, France and Italy is a collaboration between the humanitarian arm of the European Union (EU ECHO/ERCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) / Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Joint Environment Unit. An independent UN report on the incident will be produced with key findings and recommendations on short-term response measures and longer-term recovery planning and submitted to the Government.

The three experts are Dr. Stephane Le Floch from the France National Oil Response and Research Centre (CEDRE) who is a specialist in oil spill response and contingency planning, Dr. Camille La Croix also from CEDRE specializing in marine litter pollution and Mr. Luigi Alcaro from the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA, Environment Ministry) who specializes in environmental impact assessment of oil and hazardous noxious substances spills in the marine environment. The team is led by Mr. Hassan Partow from UNEPs Resilience to Disasters and Conflicts Global Support Branch (Ecosystems Division).

The team is providing technical advisory support to the Sri Lankan experts on oil spill contingency planning, clean-up operations and environmental impact assessment, drawing on international best practice and lessons learned from similar incidents. They will work closely with Sri Lankan counterparts from Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Ministry of Environment, Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and a host of other government agencies.

“The UN is coordinating international efforts and mobilizing partners to support Sri Lanka in addressing the disaster of the MV X-press Pearl, based on a request by the Government. An environmental emergency of this nature causes significant damage to the planet by the release of hazardous substances into the ecosystem, this in turn threatens lives and livelihoods of the population in the coastal areas. Our efforts are intended to support assessment of the damage, recovery efforts and ensure prevention of such disasters in the future," UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Hanaa Singer-Hamdy said.

“The EU’s civil protection policy is one of the very practical facets of EU solidarity. It underscores the increasing importance of a collaborative and integrated approach to disaster management. Therefore, I’m pleased to announce that the EU, in collaboration with the UN, is able to deploy environmental emergency experts to support Sri Lanka in addressing, and more importantly limiting, the impact of the MV X-press Pearl disaster,” Thorsten Bargfrede, Chargé d’affaires at the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives said.

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) / Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Joint Environment Unit is the global mechanism for responding to environmental emergencies. Established in 1994, the UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit has been involved in responding to over 150 environmental catastrophes over the past 25 years. A significant number of these disasters have involved oil spill incidents including most recently in the Bahamas and Solomon Islands in 2019. The UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit draws on a large pool of partner institutions to deploy experts, and in the case of Sri Lanka is grateful for the generous support mobilized by the European Union.

The European Union (EU) Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) acts as a coordination hub with the 27 Member States of the EU. It was activated on request of the Sri Lankan Government to mobilize support in addressing the MV X-press Pearl incident. In addition, satellite images were provided through the European Union Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to detect potential oil spills. A donation of EUR 200,000 will also be provided by the humanitarian arm of the European Union (EU ECHO) for protective equipment used in cleaning operations and to assist fishermen who have lost their livelihoods.

(Islamabad, 9 June 2021) The 2021 Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) was launched today at a joint event hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations in Pakistan. The Plan seeks to highlight the main humanitarian needs, share the efforts and steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to handle these challenges in collaboration with the UN and other partners, and set out a well-coordinated and inclusive plan of action to respond to the needs of the people. The HRP is holistic, with a multi-sectoral approach covering the themes of health, education, protection, food security, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and refugees.

The HRP focuses on supporting the needs of around 4.3 million people in Pakistan including refugees, facing a series of overlapping emergencies, including extreme weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic. Geographically, the Humanitarian Response Plan focuses on 81 prioritized districts. The lifesaving response activities called for in this Plan amount to US$ 332 million including food security and livelihood assistance, nutrition programmes, primary health services, including water and sanitation, women’s health, and education support, as well as shelter for displaced people.

Pakistan is a country with both the capacity and experience in responding to humanitarian emergencies and has made major strides in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, Pakistan is faced with the challenge of dealing with the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic. Moreover, whilst Pakistan remains one of the low carbon emitters, it is faced with climate induced risks and disasters, not of its making.

The HRP also highlights the generosity and compassion shown by Pakistan in hosting more than 3 million Afghan nationals including 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees holding a Proof of Registration card, 0.84 million Afghan Citizenship cardholders, and an estimated 400,000 – 600,000 undocumented Afghans, providing them protection, health, education and livelihoods.

The targeted humanitarian action put forth in this Plan represents the commitment of the UN and humanitarian partners in Pakistan to support and complement national efforts. It garners international support and commitment to assist Pakistan in responding to the humanitarian challenges, as part of the principle of responsibility and burden sharing.

Delivering the keynote, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the “Policies of the Government are guided by two important principles: ‘inclusivity’ and ‘sustainability’. Our efforts must take into consideration the aspects of efficient and effective response to humanitarian situations, followed by inclusive recovery and sustainable rehabilitation. This Response Plan is intended to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity in the prevention, preparedness and response to disasters including through the provision of relief services by building cross-institutional and stakeholder linkages”.

Federal Minister for SAFRON Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan, in his remarks, said that “during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic period, we have efficiently provided relief to Afghan Refugees and other Afghans. Replicating the Government’s Ehsaas Program, the Ministry of SAFRON with generous support of UNHCR has provided Rs.12,000 to over 75,000 Afghan refugee families.”

The Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Akhtar Nawaz highlighted the policies and measures taken by the Government of Pakistan regarding disaster-risk reduction, mitigation and adaptation.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Filippo Grandi said: “In the face of grave implications of the pandemic, Pakistan also continues to make sure no one is left behind and includes Afghan refugees in its COVID-19 response including the government vaccination programme.”

UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. Julien Harneis said: ‘The people in Pakistan have to cope with the humanitarian consequences of extreme weather events and conflicts in Afghanistan. The causes of these humanitarian needs are in part global and regional, and so although the Pakistani state and society have significant capacity to respond to these needs, it is appropriate that the international community share this burden. In launching the HRP, we are laying out the roadmap of how the UN and humanitarian partners aim to support and complement the response of the Government of Pakistan.”

The Government and the UN have worked tirelessly on joint efforts to contain COVID-19 and mitigate the pandemic’s socio-economic and health impacts and humanitarian consequences, while remaining inclusive of both Pakistan and non-Pakistani citizens such as refugees and migrants. COVID-19 response activities have been mainstreamed in this Humanitarian Response Plan, which aim to complement other relevant frameworks including the UN COVID-19 Country Preparedness and Response Plan (CPRP), COVID-19 Pakistan Preparedness and Response Plan (PPRP), and the UN Socio-Economic Response Framework to COVID-19 (SERF).

The launch event was well attended by the Diplomatic Corps, heads of UN agencies in Pakistan, representatives of international organizations, IFIs, civil society and media.

END

The Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan can be downloaded here.

Jakarta/East Aceh, 8 June 2021 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is continuing to provide food, drinking water and medical support as part of coordinated efforts to help 81 Rohingya, mostly women and children, rescued by local fishermen in East Aceh on Friday (04/06) after a perilous journey.

A spokesperson from the group told IOM that they set off from Kutupalong and Falong Khali camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh in the first week of February 2021, headed for Malaysia.

Three days after they set sail, the boat’s engine broke down and they were left floating at sea. Four days later, they were located and rescued by the Indian Navy in the Andaman Islands.

"Nine people died due to sickness before being rescued by the Indian Navy," said the spokesperson.

“We did not have enough drinking water supply, so we had to drink the seawater. Unfortunately, some of us got sick after drinking it.”

The group – consisting of 45 women, 17 men and 19 children – remained on one of the Andaman Islands for almost four months before continuing their journey in mid-May following the first cyclone of the season.

They experienced engine problems again near East Aceh last week. Local fishermen discovered their vessel and brought them to safety on Friday. Upon disembarkation, the local government of Aceh immediately conducted rapid COVID-19 tests and COVID-19 vaccinations for all arrivals.

“Thanks are due again to local community members and authorities in Indonesia for assisting the disembarkation, which – in a humanitarian spirit – has clearly been a life-saving intervention,” said Louis Hoffmann, IOM Chief of Mission in Indonesia.

"We are pleased to be working with partners including the Government of Indonesia, the Geutanyoe Foundation and our donors to ensure a coordinated response to the health and safety of this group at their initial landing site in East Aceh.”

Hoffmann added that important next steps are now underway to help assess and stabilize this group in a more sustainable location in close coordination with UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency –, and other partners.

This latest rescue comes almost exactly 12 months after 99 Rohingya, mostly women and children, were rescued by local Acehnese fishermen after being stranded at sea for more than 120 days. 

"With the experience of last year’s arrivals, we have been able to move quickly to assess initial health and nutritional needs, and – with the leadership of the Government – put in place pandemic health protocols to ensure the protection of this group and local community members,” Hoffman said.

Roughly 1,400 Rohingya found themselves stranded at sea during the 2020 sailing season, which typically ends with the arrival of the monsoon in early June. At least 130 are reported to have died.

“Once again, as the monsoon season gets underway, the dangers facing any vessel at sea increase by the day and we therefore reiterate that a coordinated response to this situation, inclusive of search and rescue operations and safe disembarkation, is urgently needed,” said Dr Nenette Motus, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

“Even as we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in this region, we must work collectively to avoid a repeat of the 2015 crisis when thousands of men, women and children faced tremendous challenges in accessing life-saving care and support and many lost their lives at sea.”

IOM’s emergency response to assist the Rohingya disembarkation in Aceh is funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

For further information, please contact Ariani Hasanah Soejoeti at IOM Indonesia, email: asoejoeti@iom.int , tel: +628122726308 or Itayi Viriri at IOM´s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Tel: +63 917 890 8785, Email: iviriri@iom.int

Endorsed by the Resident Coordinator on 30 May 2021 Pre-approved by the Emergency Relief Coordinator on 3 June 2021

Executive Summary

This document presents the pilot framework for collective anticipatory action to monsoon floods in Bangladesh, including the forecasting trigger (the model), the pre-agreed action plans (the delivery) and the pre-arranged financing (the money). In addition to the 3 core elements, an investment in documenting evidence and learning is part of the pilot (the learning).

The objective of this pilot is to further scale-up the quality and quantity of collective anticipatory humanitarian action to people at risk of predicted severe monsoon flooding of the Jamuna River in Bangladesh. The pilot will cover five highly vulnerable districts (Bogura (Bogra); Gaibandha; Kurigram; Jamalpur; and Sirajganj) with the aim to reach 410,000-440,000 people ahead of flood peak with multi-sectoral interventions carried out by the United Nations and the Red Cross/Red Crescent in close collaboration with NGOs and the Government through CERF funding. A further ca. 130,000 people will be reached with additional financing and about one million people are to benefit from joint early warning messages.

The model makes use of available forecasts with a two-step trigger system to predict severe monsoon floods:

• Stage I: Readiness trigger is reached when the water discharge at the Bahadurabad gauging station over a period of three consecutive days is forecasted by the GloFAS model with a maximum 15-day lead time to be more than 50% likely to cross the 1-in-5-year return period.

• Stage II: Action trigger is reached when the water level at Bahadurabad is forecasted by the FFWC 5-day lead time model to cross the government-defined “Danger Level” + 0.85 meters, and probabilistic forecasts with longer lead times (GloFAS/RIMES) show a sustained or increasing trend of the water discharge at the Bahadurabad gauging station for at least three consecutive days beginning from the day when the danger level is forecast to be crossed.

The delivery of anticipatory action is time critical. Agencies have agreed to develop a common beneficiary database enabling the joint targeting of households so these may benefit from a comprehensive intervention. In addition, all agencies agree to work jointly on distribution and content of targeted early warning messages.

Given the short lead times, unconditional cash is a major component of the pilot. Bringing together the reach of WFP and BDRCS, some 78,000 vulnerable households will receive 4,500 Taka (~US$53) each ahead of severe peak flooding either through mobile transfers (bKash) or the post office.

In addition to cash, FAO will support 25,000 households with (1) animal feed at evacuation points and (2) with floodproof storage of agricultural and productive assets (e.g. tools, seeds).

UNICEF is complementing the anticipatory intervention with the provision of safe drinking water and early warning and hygiene promotion messaging to some 110,000 people through the distribution of jerrycans, water purification tablets and a communication campaign. Also, through the deployment of ten mobile water treatment units at evacuation points, some 20,000 people will be able to access safe drinking water.

UNFPA-led interventions will reach more than 16,300 people: 9,688 women, adolescent girls and third gender/transgender will receive dignity and menstrual hygiene management kits. Some 3,800 pregnant women will have access to safe deliveries. 20 newly trained midwives will support some 100 safe births. An additional health center will be equipped with the capacity for clinical management of over 50 rape cases and some 1,600 couples will benefit from receiving emergency family planning supplies.

In addition to cash, BDRCS through a sub-agreement with WFP, will provide additional evacuation support based on need, last mile early warning dissemination for 100,000 households and first aid support based on need of the people and households during the operations. Save the Children, using its own financing, will provide direct cash and WASH support to some 31,500 people in Sirajgoni and 12,000 people in Gaibanda.

The money for the pilot comes from different sources, including from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of up to $7.5 million. CERF financing will be released as automatically as possible immediately once the defined triggers are reached. The pre-arranged financing agreement with CERF is in place for one severe flooding event over a two-year pilot period from the moment this framework document is pre-endorsed and pre-agreed.

WFP, UNFPA, BDRCS and Save the Children have additional financing available as part of the same trigger mechanism for additional anticipatory actions in line with applicable agency-specific protocols.

The learning and documentation of evidence from the pilot will be coordinated through an ad-hoc committee which will ensure a common approach to agency-specific monitoring and evaluation; as well as identifying opportunities for an independent evaluation. The impact of the pilot shall be assessed against the premise of anticipatory actions leading to a faster, more efficient, and more dignified humanitarian response, which also may protect development gains. Learning from pilots should be achieved at the highest possible standards and rigor.

Key improvements have been made to this iteration of the Bangladesh anticipatory action pilot compared to the 2020 experience. Many lessons learned have been incorporated at the agency level. At the collective level, the main improvements have been on scale and quality of the pilot. Notably the common beneficiary database and common approach to early warning, as well as improved coordination around learning and activation should help to provide better anticipatory actions.

As a commitment to learning and continuous improvement of anticipatory action challenges, and ways to overcome these in the future, are identified throughout the document. For instance, the COVID pandemic continues to constrain operational capacity. Short time frames in building the pilot, limited time between trigger events and peak floods, as well as the availability of resources means the pilot must be very focused, prioritized and targeted to concrete and achievable outcomes. The biggest impediment to a further scale-up has been the absence of financing for “start-up costs,” i.e. the necessary investments to entities to build the pilot and prepare for collective action.

The framework has been facilitated by OCHA and the RCO and was jointly developed by FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, Red Cross/Red Crescent, BDRCS, and the Start Network. Save the Children also contributed.

(Download Full Document PDF)

Following the devastation caused by the floods in April that affected many families in the country, today the Government and humanitarian partners, including the United Nations, are launching a joint Appeal for US $32m to respond to residual humanitarian needs and assist with early the recovery process to December 2021.

Dili, TIMOR-LESTE, 01 JUNE 2021: The Government, together with humanitarian partners, officially launched a Joint Appeal to address the residual humanitarian needs for the most vulnerable affected people and assist with early-recovery efforts in Timor-Leste. The appeal requests US$32.7 million (US $8.8m for immediate needs and US$23.9 for short-term requirements) that will directly assist 65,000 people and indirectly benefit all flood-affected population. A multi-sectoral response, the appeal identifies priority activities to address critical gaps across 9 sectors: Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Emergency Shelter; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Gender and Protection; Food Security; Nutrition; Health; Education; Early Recovery and Livelihoods; and, Emergency Logistics.

The Government has allocated US$65.2 million through the Contingency Fund while the humanitarian partners including the United Nations, have so far committed US$10.7 million to support the response efforts. However, following the rapid assessments that have been completed, critical funding gaps still remain to meet the priority needs of the flood-affected communities and to kick-start the recovery process.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, H.E. Ms. Adaljiza Magno in her opening remarks stated that despite the significant efforts from the Government side to deliver the emergency needs to flood affected populations as well as increasing the contingency fund to implement short and long term programs to recover from the calamity, there are still considerable funding gap need to be filled. Therefore, H.E. Minister, on behalf of the government, calling upon for a voluntary contribution in order to help Timor-Leste to scale-up measures to recover from the catastrophic disaster.

The 2021 Timor-Leste Floods Response Plan will facilitate a coordinated by the Government and the humanitarian partners focusing on the next 7 months from end-May to end-December 2021 with the aim of supporting a sustainable recovery and helping lay the foundations for ‘Building Back Better’.

The plan was jointly developed by the Government of Timor-Leste with support from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and all humanitarian partners. A copy of the detailed Joint Appeal is available here.

Under the Government leadership, more than 86 organisations – 9 UN agencies, 63 humanitarian partners, and 14 Ministries/Departments – will participate in the 7-month Joint Response Plan ending in December 2021.

The latest official figures, show that 33,835 households have been affected by the floods across all 13 municipalities, with 44 reported fatalities. Extensive damages have been reported to houses, buildings (including health facilities and COVID-19 quarantine and isolation centres), public infrastructure and agricultural land. A total of 2,163 hectares of agricultural land have been affected, negatively impacting food security in the coming days.

This disaster comes when the country has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent months. The temporary displacement of people poses an increased threat to the further spread of COVID-19 and outbreak of other diseases.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Roy Trivedy emphasised that “it is imperative to speed up the delivery of assistance to Timor-Leste at this critical stage to prevent further loss of lives, additional damage to essential public services and infrastructure, and to stop the spread of diseases.” He also highlighted the fact that “this tragedy has hit at a time when the country is already struggling with the dangerous situation caused by COVID19.”

This Response Plan aims to directly target the humanitarian and early recovery needs of approximately 65,000 flood-affected people living with existing vulnerabilities. All flood-affected populations are expected to benefit directly and indirectly from the response, including rehabilitation of critical public infrastructure and restoration of essential services. In line with the Secretariat of State for Civil Protection’s Flood Response Strategy, the plan will prioritise support to those who remain in the evacuation centres, support the safe return and early recovery of those who were temporarily displaced and since returned to their communities.

-END

BACKGROUND NOTE FOR EDITOR

On 23 April, the National Parliament approved the amendment to the 2021 General State Budget to respond to the impact of COVID-19 and the flooding, which the President subsequently promulgated on 4 May. The allocation to the COVID-19 Fund increased from USD 31 million to USD 287.6 million, while the Contingency Fund allocation increased from USD 23.8 million to USD 65.2 million.

Many humanitarian partners and donors have supported the flood response through humanitarian funding and/or repurposing existing resources. In solidarity with the affected people of Timor-Leste, more donors, including the private sector, have been mobilising resources in support of the flood-affected people. Over USD 10.73 million of additional humanitarian funding has been mobilised by donors, UN agencies, humanitarian partners and the private sector.

The second phase of the humanitarian response, namely support to livelihoods and early recovery has started, including emergency cash-for-work initiatives, inputs schemes, and infrastructure rehabilitation and reconstruction. At the request of the Government, partners are preparing to support the Government with longer-term recovery planning through a Household and Building Damage Assessment (HBDA), a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PNDA), and a Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM). These assessments aim to provide more comprehensive country-wide information to inform longer-term recovery and reconstruction of flood-affected households, communities, and agricultural lands.

During the Emergency Development Partners’ Meeting called by the Government on 13 April, the Government and the humanitarian partners agreed on the need for a strongly coordinated floods response, under the leadership of the Government. The 2021 Timor-Leste Flood Response Plan, therefore, is positioned as a tool to facilitate a coordinated floods response by the Government and the humanitarian partners (incl. donors), focusing on the initial 9 months to address the immediate humanitarian and early recovery needs of the most vulnerable affected people. Once the findings of a more comprehensive assessment of damages and losses become available, the Government and partners may consider developing a medium-term recovery plan in line with the Government’s commitment to Build Back Better.

KATHMANDU, 21 May 2021- As Nepal faces breaking point amidst its worst COVID-19 outbreak, the United Nations and partners are today launching the Nepal Covid-19 Response Plan calling for US$ 83.7 million to mobilize an emergency response over the next three months to assist 750,000 of the most vulnerable people affected by the pandemic. The plan was endorsed by the Nepal Humanitarian Country Team and the Government of Nepal’s COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre and lays out critical areas of support required to complement the Government of Nepal’s response efforts.

UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Sara Beysolow Nyanti said: “The current outbreak is having a devastating impact not just on health but across all sectors, hitting the poorest and most marginalized people in Nepali society the hardest. The COVID-19 Response Plan that we are launching today calls for swift action and international solidarity that is desperately needed to save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering today, tomorrow, and in the difficult weeks to come. We have no time to lose.”

After several months of relatively low daily cases in Nepal, cases began to increase rapidly in mid-April, rising from 150 cases per day in early April to over 8,000 cases per day since 5 May. Over 44% of COVID-19 tests nationally are coming back positive, suggesting that case numbers are much higher than reported. Despite the surge beginning almost three weeks after India’s, Nepal is experiencing roughly the same number of daily cases per capita as India, but with a health system whose capacity is much more limited.

Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal, said: “The recent surge in cases has resulted in an unprecedented need for medical supplies including oxygen, medicines, ventilators, diagnostic kits and vaccines. While WHO and partners are supporting the Nepal Government’s endeavors in mounting a robust response, fighting the pandemic necessitates international solidarity. I appeal to friends of Nepal from around the world to come forward and help with fulfilling the needs of the hour.”

Millions of people in Nepal are struggling not just with the direct health impact of COVID-19, but also with hunger, malnutrition, devastating economic losses, and other health needs that are being overlooked. The Nepal COVID-19 Response Plan brings together the priority response activities as set out by the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan (CPRP) to address both the health and humanitarian consequences of COVID-19. The Government of Nepal is leading the response, but capacities are stretched to breaking point and international solidarity is urgently needed to assist the most vulnerable people with life-saving response activities in health, food security, education, nutrition, shelter, protection and water and sanitation.

Ms. Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative for Nepal, said: “Nepal is experiencing an alarming new COVID-19 surge, with a steep rise in cases that has overwhelmed Nepal’s fragile health system. As we respond to the immediate health crisis to help save lives, we cannot forget the devastating broader impact the current COVID-19 surge has on children and young people in Nepal. They are being cut off from vital support networks, losing parents and caregivers, and witnessing scenes no child should ever see. We must come together, nationally and internationally, if we are to prevent interrupted childhoods in Nepal from being lost for good.”

The Nepal COVID-19 Response Plan can be downloaded here

For further information, please contact:

RCO Nepal - Ram Babu Shah, shah2@un.org , +977 9801002004

UNICEF Nepal –Tania Dhakhwa, tdhakhwa@unicef.org +977 9801244524

WHO Nepal –Tsering Dolkar Gurung, gurungt@who.int , +977 9801054040

OCHA Asia Pacific - Pierre Peron, peronp@un.org , +66 614200390

COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (Tuesday 18 May 2021) – Aid agencies are making a united call on the international community to step up support to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh, which has now entered its fourth year. The 2021 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis was launched today by the Government of Bangladesh, along with the humanitarian community. The JRP is seeking USD 943 million to meet the needs of over 880,000 Rohingya refugees and 472,000 vulnerable Bangladeshis in Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazilas in Cox’s Bazar district. In total, the JRP aims to protect and assist 1.4 Million people this year. More than half of this population are women and children. Some USD 340 million has been committed towards the 2021 JRP by the international community so far, amounting to more than 35 percent of the total requirements.

The JRP brings together the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh, and 134 UN agencies and NGO partners. More than half of these partners are Bangladeshi NGOs. The appeal focuses on strengthening the protection of Rohingya refugees, delivering quality lifesaving assistance to those in need, fostering the well-being of the communities surrounding the camps, and helping Rohingya refugees build their skills and capacities towards sustainable return and reintegration in Myanmar, on a voluntary basis, when conditions allow them to do so, in safety and in dignity.

The most commonly reported needs among the host communities include access to food as well as cash, along with essential health services, reflecting the impact of the COVID- 19 outbreak and associated measures needed to mitigate the spread of the virus on food security and livelihoods among the people of Bangladesh. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded vulnerabilities for them as well as Rohingya refugees. “We came to live in the camp after suffering a lot in Myanmar. But this place is very congested, and we need a lot of health support,” says 30-year old Hosne Ara, a Rohingya refugee living in one of the camps in Cox’s Bazar. “It is a great struggle to manage food, clothes, medicines, and essentials for my children” she adds.

“More than 40 per cent of this year’s financial appeal focuses on two of the most basic and critical human needs, food security and health,” says Nicole Epting, the Senior Coordinator for the Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG). “In addition, the priorities for this year include water, sanitation and hygiene, wider health needs including sexual and reproductive health with a focus on women and girls, education and addressing the protection concerns of the Rohingya refugee population in the camps.”.

The leadership of the Government of Bangladesh and the support of the international community over the years has been crucial in delivering lifesaving protection and assistance and effectively responding to the needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Up to USD 2.32 billion in funds have been committed to successive JRPs since the outset of the crisis in 2017. This amounts to 69% of total the financial requirements needed to protect and assist the Rohingya refugee population and host communities in the last four years.

Rohingya refugees have expressed their desire to return to Myanmar when conditions are conducive and safe to do so. Until they are able to return voluntarily, sustainably and under safe and dignified conditions, the humanitarian community is calling for a show of compassion and solidarity with the Rohingya refugee population and is urging the international community to continue supporting the Government and the people of Bangladesh.

END/ For more information, please contact: Md. Syed Tafhim, ISCG, communications2@iscgcxb.org , +88(0)1915523773 Sulakshani Perera, ISCG, ext.rel@iscgcxb.org +88(0)1847326504

HIGHLIGHTS

• Since the declaration of a state of calamity in Dili on 8 April, the Government continues to lead the flood response. On 4 May, the President promulgated the amendment of the 2021 General State Budget, with an increased allocation to the Contingency Fund from USD 23.8 million to USD 65.2 million.

• In solidarity with the Government, the humanitarian partners have provided relief assistance worth over USD 10.7 million to-date.

• Latest official figures (4 May) showed that a total of 33,177 households have been affected across all 13 municipalities. A total of 2,163 ha of agricultural area has been reportedly affected by the flooding.

• According to the Secretariat of State for Civil Protection, 3,125 people remain temporary displaced in 17 evacuation centers across Dili.

• The preliminary findings of the Multi-Sectoral Rapid Needs Assessment and the Household Damage and Needs Assessment suggest that more than 550 residential houses have been completely destroyed, about 900 badly damaged, and another 1,900 sustained minor damages in Dili municipality.

(DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT PDF)

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Heavy rains across the country from 29 March to 4 April have resulted in flash floods and landslides affecting all 13 municipalities in Timor-Leste to varying degrees, with the capital Dili and the surrounding low-lying areas the worst affected. A total of 41 fatalities (including 9 missing, presumed dead) have been recorded.

According to official figures, a total of 33,177 households across the country have been affected; of those, 81% - or 27,622 households – are in Dili municipality. A total of 2,163 hectares of agricultural areas have been affected by the flooding, which would negatively impact food security during the next lean season.

The latest official figures indicate a total of 17 evacuation facilities in Dili municipality, where 3,012 people – or 611 households – are temporary sheltered. This is 913 people less compared to one week ago. Majority of the temporary displaced are returning home, and there is need to support the affected people’s safe return to the communities.

Following the renewal of the State of Emergency for additional 30 days to 1 June 2021, the Government also reinstated the general home confinement in Dili municipality until 13 May, and extended the sanitary fence around Dili municipality, as well as around municipalities of Ainaro, Baucau, Covalima, Ermera, Lautem, Liquica, Manufahi and Viqueque, until 16 May. As of 6 May, there are 1,315 active cases of COVID-19. The risk of further spread of COVID-19 remains high. Under the national COVID-19 vaccination programme – launched on 7 April – a total of 28,598 doses have been administered across all municipalities to-date.

(DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT PDF)

The Regional Consultative Group (RCG) on Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (CMCoord) for Asia and the Pacific is a key forum for supporting and elevating coordination, building relationships, and sharing learning to enhance and strengthen emergency response. When the RCG was formed in 2014, it was tasked with improving awareness and enhancing the predictability of CMCoord mechanisms, and their respective functions, during largescale disaster response.

As a result, the RCG initiated the development of the first version of Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination in Emergencies: Towards a Predictable Model, which focused on explaining the legislation, coordination mechanisms, approach to and leadership of disaster management in the five most disaster-prone countries in Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines. The publication was launched in 2017, and soon became a key reference for the CMCoord community.

During the 4th RCG session, the publication was discussed and a revision was deemed necessary to reflect global, regional and national changes. The global context, now more than ever, demands effective and efficient provision of aid and relief to vulnerable communities, strong motivation and capability of regional organizations in disaster relief, and continuous development of holistic national disaster management systems and capacity. Coordination is a cross-cutting theme essential to achieving an effective response, and the importance of humanitarian CMCoord is growing as we enter an era of increasing complexity on all fronts and at all levels.

This revised publication was produced through collaboration between the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster response, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the Australian Civil-Military Centre and Humanitarian Advisory Group. Expert practitioners and researchers contributed their time to ensure the information is accurate and accessible. Like the initial version, the publication will be regularly updated to reflect operational environments accurately.

(DOWNLOAD PDF)

Bibi Gul never planned to leave her home, but when conflict erupted five years ago, she and her husband took their children and fled. Now living in Feroz Koh in Ghor province, Bibi Gul found herself alone trying to support her family during the COVID-19 pandemic. “My husband became addicted to heroin and for months he could not work. Then he left, and we haven’t heard from him since. We don’t know if he is even alive,” she said.

Bibi Gul found work doing laundry and cleaning houses. “Everything we have comes from what I earn day-to-day. My monthly income is around 1,000-1,500 AFS (approximately US $13- $20) and it is not enough to provide for the essentials,” she said.

In addition to living in a new place with no support system, the many challenges displaced families face have been intensified by the effects of the pandemic. “For the last five months, we have been living in a make-shift shelter, but I don’t know how much longer the owner of the land will allow us to stay here,” she said.

Situated in the highlands of Afghanistan, Ghor has extreme weather and one of the harshest winter seasons in the country with heavy snow and biting winds. “My oldest daughter is 11 years old. She helps by collecting cartons and plastic from the street for the heater. The long winter season in Ghor is harsh and we have not been able to warm our room. I was afraid that my children would die or become very sick. I worried we would not make it through,” she said.

Afghanaid provided Bibi Gul urgently needed winter cash aid that enabled her to purchase a wood stove and wood to fuel their new heater. The assistance, funded by the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, means people like Bibi Gul can keep their families safe and warm. It also allows them to use their money to buy food to keep their families healthy and build up financial reserves so that they are more resilient against future shocks. “I am so grateful to Afghanaid for coming to our aid. Now my children will have a warm room and I can keep them safe from illness.”

Afghanaid is a British humanitarian and development organization whose personnel have worked with millions of deprived, excluded and vulnerable families in some of the poorest and most remote communities in Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) is one of OCHA’s country-based pooled funds (CBPFs). It was established in 2014 for swift and strategic humanitarian action in Afghanistan.

Press release by the Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP) and the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement

11 February

Suva/Geneva - Climate change is not a “doomsday proposition” but a living existential threat to humanity, Pacific government officials have warned. The stark warning was made at today’s Pacific Regional Consultation on Internal Displacement, co-organized by the Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP)’s Technical Working Group (TWG) on Human Mobility and the Secretariat of the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement. Government representatives from 10 Pacific countries reiterated strongly the need for accelerated and ambitious action to address disaster-induced displacement as part of the global fight against the climate crisis. “Every year, more of our citizens will be forced to leave their homes to escape stronger storms, rising seas, and swelling rivers brought by climate change,” said Honorable Prime Minister of Fiji, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama in a video message. “Climate driven displacement is not a doomsday proposition; it is happening right now. In response we have to change and adapt as quickly as the climate.” The virtual event gathered government officials, UN agencies, civil societies, academia and the private sector together to exchange policy best practices on disaster displacement and review challenges ahead as the Pacific continues to grapple with extreme weather events. The outcomes of the consultation will also inform the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, an eight-member group established by the UN Secretary-General to identify concrete recommendations to better prevent, respond and achieve solutions to internal displacement. “For far too long, the idea of internal displacement may seem abstract but the issue is real and here in the Pacific,” stressed H.E. Tregor Albon Ishoda, Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to Fiji, recalling the “devastating impacts” of Tropical Cyclone Yasa and Harold in the consultation. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), more than 50,000 people in the Pacific region are at risk of having to flee their homes each year due to extreme weather events. Pacific islanders are amongst those most at risk of being displaced, bearing the brunt of sudden and slow-onset effects of climate change with humanitarian consequences. “The breach of human rights, and scale and severity of humanitarian problem in the region requires more systematic attention be given to internally displaced persons in the Pacific,” urged Dr. Tauisi Taupo, Secretary of Justice, Communication and Foreign Affairs of Tuvalu in his keynote address. Support to internally displaced persons are provided by the National Disaster Management Offices in the Pacific and collaborative efforts of local actors, NGOs and development partners. However, as the climate crisis is escalating at an alarming pace, panelists have stressed that accelerated global actions are needed to ensure the inclusion of internal displacement in national development planning, legal frameworks and guidelines. “Climate change presents more than just disaster risks. It is an existential threat that could displace entire nations,” said Nasser Judeh, Member of the High-Level Panel. “Displacement and disaster risks need to be recognized as a shared development priority.”

UN agencies warn economic impact of COVID-19 and worsening inequalities will fuel malnutrition for billions in Asia and the Pacific

Child and maternal diets particularly vulnerable

20/01/2021, Bangkok, Thailand – The economic impact of COVID-19 on the world’s most populous region is threatening to further undermine efforts to improve diets and nutrition of nearly two billion people in Asia and the Pacific who were already unable to afford healthy diets prior to the pandemic, says a new report published today by four specialized agencies of the United Nations.

The report, Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2020: Maternal and Child Diets at the Heart of Improving Nutrition found that 1.9 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet in this region, even before the COVID-19 outbreak and the damage it has since caused to economies and individual livelihoods. The report was published jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization.

Due to higher prices for fruits, vegetables and dairy products, it has become nearly impossible for poor people in Asia and the Pacific to achieve healthy diets, the affordability of which is critical to ensure food security and nutrition for all – and for mothers and children in particular.

Food prices and available incomes govern household decisions on food and dietary intake. But the outbreak of COVID-19 and a lack of decent work opportunities in many parts of the region, alongside significant uncertainty of food systems and markets, has led to a worsening of inequality, as poorer families with dwindling incomes further alter their diets to choose cheaper, less nutritious foods.

Making nutritious foods affordable and accessible

More than 350 million people in the Asia and the Pacific were undernourished in 2019, or roughly half of the global total. Across the region, an estimated 74.5 million children under 5 years of age were stunted (too short for their age) and 31.5 million suffered from wasting (too thin for height). The majority of these children live in Southern Asia with nearly 56 million stunted and more than 25 million wasted. At the same time, overweight and obesity has increased rapidly, especially in South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific, with an estimated 14.5 million children under 5, being overweight or obese.

Poor diets and inadequate nutritional intake is an ongoing problem. The cost of a healthy diet is significantly higher than that of a diet that provides sufficient calories but lacks in nutritional value, showing significant gaps in the food system to deliver nutritious options to all at an affordable price. These costs are even greater for women and children, given their added nutritional needs.

The report calls for a transformation of food systems in Asia and the Pacific, with an aim to increase the affordability of, and families’ access to, nutritious, safe, and sustainable diets. Nutritious and healthy diets need to be accessible to everyone, everywhere. To ensure that happens, the report recommends integrated approaches and policies are needed. These steps are vital to overcome unaffordability issues, and also to ensure healthy maternal and child diets.

Improving maternal and child diets requires strengthening vital systems

Nutrition is vitally important throughout a person’s life. The impact of a poor diet is most severe in the first 1000 days, from pregnancy to when a child reaches the age of 2. Young children, especially when they start eating their “first foods” at 6 months, have high nutritional requirements to grow well and every bite counts.

Mainstreaming nutrition-focused behaviour change campaigns throughout these systems should lead to greater knowledge uptake and sustainability of behaviours helping people to achieve healthy diets.

Education on what constitutes a healthy diet and how to create hygienic environments at home, in schools and in the community, together with investment in girl’s education and infrastructure that underlies good water, sanitation and hygiene practices, are critical.

Therefore, providing a nutritious, safe, affordable and sustainable diet for all requires coordinating with partners in the Food, Water and Sanitation, Health, Social Protection and Education systems, to collectively create an enabling environment.

Greater attention is also needed to operationalize national policies and plans to improve the delivery of health services for maternal and child diets and good nutrition outcomes. Services to improve the diets of mothers and young children should be prioritized as part of the essential package of health services needed to address undernutrition, overweight and obesity and to achieve universal health coverage.

In the meantime, social protection efforts can protect and stabilize incomes and improve access to healthy diets during disasters and crises. At least nine governments in Asia and Pacific have established a targeted mother and child COVID-19 component in their social protection systems. However, more data collection and analysis are needed to document the effectiveness of social protection in improving maternal and child diets in the region.

Bringing everyone to the table

Food systems play a critical role in achieving food and nutrition security for all. A sustainable and nutrition-sensitive food system is essential to produce diverse and nutritious foods for healthy diets. Improved efficiency and productivity of value chains can reduce the costs of essential foods to make them more affordable.

These actions are needed now more than ever because the face of malnutrition is changing in Asia and the Pacific, with highly processed and inexpensive foods readily available throughout the region. These foods are often packed with sugar and unhealthy fats and lack the vitamins and minerals required for growth and development. Consumption of these foods increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Governments need to invest in nutrition and food safety in fresh and street food markets to promote healthy diets. Regulation of sales and marketing of food for consumers, especially children, is important to curb overweight, obesity and related diseases and illness.

The report also calls for action within the private sector, as it has an important role to play in supporting the transformation of the food system and its value chains for achieving healthy diets.

Leveraging these systems, in a coordinated fashion that expands the opportunities to address barriers to accessing and consuming healthy diets, will help countries and the people of Asia and the Pacific recover faster from the economic impact of COVID-19, and be better prepared for future crises.

The report, ‘Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2020: Maternal and Child Diets at the Heart of Improving Nutrition’ is jointly published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization.

(DOWNLOAD REPORT)

Asia Pacific: Intersection of Gender and Disability in Humanitarian Responses in Asia and the Pacific

Asia Pacific: Community Insights from the Asia Pacific Region - Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Pakistan (23 September 2020) Asia Pacific: Pandemic Response in South-East Asia Must Address Rising Inequalities, Says New UN Report (31 July 2020)

Asia Pacific: Human Rights Dimensions of the COVID-19 Pandemic (22 June 2020)

Asia Pacific: FAO warns multiple impact of viruses, plagues and economic damage will fuel hunger (1 June 2020)

Asia Pacific: FAO announces new agreement to protect vulnerable family farmers and their farm animals from volcanic eruptions takes shape in the Asia-Pacific region (18 June 2020)

Asia Pacific: COVID-19 Risk Communications and Community Engagement 4W Dashboard (4 May 2020)

Asia Pacific: Combating the dual challenges of climate-related disasters and COVID-19 (4 May 2020)

Afghanistan: COVID-19 Access Impediment Report (29 April 2020)

Afghanistan: A young doctor’s fight to stem the spread of COVID-19 (4 May 2020)

Afghanistan: A safe space for children and families returning from Iran (15 May 2020)

Myanmar: "Stop the fighting, combine forces against a common enemy: COVID-19" -Humanitarian Coordinator (4 May 2020)

Myanmar: UN Launches European Union/Switzerland-Funded Humanitarian Flights (11 May 2020)

Myanmar: Humanitarians maintain life-saving support to internally displaced people as COVID-19 outbreak evolves (6 May 2020)

Nepal: COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Calls for US$108 Million (1 June 2020)

Pakistan: Fighting COVID-19 and other health emergencies (27 July 2021)

Pakistan: Humanitarian Response Plan For COVID-19 Pandemic 2020 (1 June 2020)

Papua New Guinea: Revised COVID-19 Multi-Sector Response Plan Call for US$ 105 Million (1 June 2020)

Philippines: Responding to a Triple Crisis (6 January 2021)

Philippines: Engaging Vulnerable People and Communities in the COVID-19 Pandemic Response (12 May 2020)

Philippines: Single mother in Mindanao survives domestic abuse, earthquakes, and COVID-19 (7 July 2020)

Philippines: How the Philippines is quietly implementing a more localized COVID-19 humanitarian response (Part1) (Part 2) (Part 4)

Pacific: UN and Partners Launch the Pacific Humanitarian Team COVID-19 Response Plan (7 May 2020)