FAO Launches a Plan of Response and Anticipatory Action to Address the Impact of the El Niño Phenomenon in Latin America

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a plan of anticipatory response and action with the goal of mobilizing $36.9 million dollars to provide assistance to vulnerable communities in Latin America facing the potential impact of the El Niño phenomenon. Since June of this year, FAO has initiated the implementation of anticipatory actions to mitigate potential impacts associated with the El Niño phenomenon on agricultural livelihoods and food security in Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, acting proactively to reduce humanitarian needs and build resilience. In the coming months, support will also be provided to at-risk producing families affected by El Niño, primarily indigenous communities, in Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The announced plan of anticipatory response and action aims to add support to ongoing efforts to expand these interventions, providing assistance to more affected households and strengthening food security for populations. The proposed measures in the plan of anticipatory action and response include the distribution of drought-resistant seeds, support for water capture, storage, and management, cash assistance, training in water resource management, and actions to protect livestock, artisanal fishing, and crops.