Agriculture is most affected by the disaster, according to a new report

FAO launches a mechanism to channel expertise and financial resources in order to increase resilience.

Almost a quarter of the damage caused by natural disasters in the developing world are borne by the agricultural sector - a higher proportion previously estimated – according to preliminary results of a new study presented today at the FAO World Conference of the United Nations on Disaster Risk Reduction.

The organization also announced the launch of a special mechanism that aims to help countries improve their endowments food production sectors to reduce exposure to risk, limit the effects, and improve preparedness for disasters.

A twenty percent of all damages caused by natural hazards such as droughts, storms, floods or tsunamis correspond to the agricultural sector, according to the FAO analysis of 78 evaluations FAO needs after disasters in 48 developing countries over the period 2003- 2013.

They are usually poor rural and semi-rural communities that suffer this damage and loss, lack of insurance and financial resources necessary to recover the means of life lost. However, during the period 2003-2013 only 4.5 percent of humanitarian aid was allocated to agriculture after disasters.

This figure represents only 22 percent for damage using risk assessments after disasters and while gives an idea of ​​the magnitude, the actual impact is probably even higher. For a more accurate real financial cost of disaster for agriculture in the developing world estimate, compared FAO declines in yields during and after disasters with the evolution of the same in 67 countries affected by (at least one ) medium or major disaster between 2003 and 2013.

Total: USD 70,000 million in damage to crops and livestock during that period of 10 years.
Asia was the most affected region, with estimated losses USD 28 000 million, followed by Africa with USD 26 000 million.

“Agriculture and all that it encompasses are not only critical to our food supply, but also remain the main source of livelihood worldwide. While it is an area at risk, Agriculture may also be the basis on which we build more resilient and better prepared societies to cope with disasters”, said Jose Graziano da Silva, Director General of FAO.

“That is why increasing the resilience of livelihoods against threats and crises is one of the main priorities of FAO”, he added.

New mechanism for disaster risk reduction in Agriculture

To help countries prepare for and respond better to natural disasters affecting agriculture, FAO has today launched a new mechanism that aims to channel technical support wherever it is needed. The mechanism will work to integrate disaster risk reduction in Agriculture at all levels through various activities.

“With this new effort, we intend to limit the exposure of the population at risk, avoid or reduce impacts where possible, and improving preparedness to respond quickly when disasters happen”Said Graziano da Silva.

Studies have shown that for every dollar invested in disaster risk reduction dollar depreciated between two and four dollars in terms of impacts avoided or mitigated, he said.

The work of the new mechanism will be guided by the FAO Framework Programme on Reducing Disaster Risk for Food and Nutrition Security.

Agriculture remains a key sector

Globally, the livelihoods of 2500 million people depend on agriculture.

Beyond the obvious implications for food security of the population, economies and developing regions and countries may be affected when disasters strike agriculture.

There are also indirect losses in the subsectors that depend on agriculture and significant impact on trade flows. Between 2003 and 2013 the countries surveyed experienced an increase in agricultural imports worth USD 18,900 million and a decrease in agricultural exports of USD 14,900 million after natural disasters.
Key Facts

Analysis of the FAO damage reported through needs assessments

When droughts occur, agriculture absorbs up to 84 percent of all economic repercussions.

Within the agricultural sector, 42 percent of the assessed loss corresponded to crops (USD 13,000 million) – being the main cause flooding (responsible for 60 percent of the damage, followed by storms, causing 23 percent of them).

Livestock is the second most affected after the crops subsector, accounting for 36 percent of all damages and losses, amounting to USD 11,000 million during the period 2003-2013.

Of the 78 disasters evaluated, 45 affected the fisheries subsector (USD 1,700 million, or 6 percent of all damages of agricultural sector). Most of them - 70 percent - were caused by tsunamis, a phenomenon usually rare. The storms like hurricanes and typhoons accounted for approximately 16 percent of the economic impact on fishing, followed by floods (10 per cent).

Damages and losses in the forestry sector amounted to USD 737 million, representing 2.4 percent of the total cost for the agricultural sector.

The extended analysis of the FAO

Compared FAO declines in yields during and after disasters with their evolution in 67 countries affected by at least one medium or major disaster between 2003 and 2013.

It is estimated that during this period the losses and damage to crops and livestock totaled USD 70,000 million.

82 percent of production losses due to drought (44 percent) and flood (39 percent).

Asia was the region most affected, with estimated worth of USD 28,000 million loss, followed by Africa with USD 26 000 million.

In Africa, between 2003 and 2013, there were 61 years of drought in sub-Saharan Africa that affected 27 countries and 150 million people. FAO estimates that 77 percent of all agricultural production losses worldwide due to drought occurred in these 27 sub-Saharan countries, amounting to USD 23,500 million.

SOURCE: Fao.org