1. Food Security Cluster District Focal Point Mechanism Orientation Workshop Satkhira, Barguna, Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka June - July 2014 Funded by ECHO

2. Workshop Objectives By Line Rindebaek Cluster Coordinator Key Objectives: Explain what the role of Food Security Cluster and how we fit within the Disaster Coordination Mechanism in Bangladesh Explain the role of the District Focal Points  How can we strengthen coordination on food security, support the DC and DDMC and strengthen disaster preparedness? First Half of Workshop – Background: ‒The Cluster System and The Food Security Cluster (FSC) ‒The Bangladesh Coordination Mechanism ‒The District Focal Point Mechanism Second Half of Workshop – FSC Tools and Resources: ‒Assessment ‒Information Management ‒IPC

3. The Cluster System Worldwide FAO and WFP are FSC Co-Leads: ‒Responsible for the leadership, coordination and facilitation of food security sector

4. The Cluster System - in Bangladesh Late 2011, the Local Consultative Group on Disaster Emergency Response (LCG DER) agreed on the need to strengthen its ability to respond and to coordinate disaster management and to concentrate on preparedness. 24 January, 2012 LCG DER:  Created a new coordination platform: Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT), mandated to focus on emergency preparedness and response.  Endorsed the roll-out of clusters (to ensure improved coordination between key stakeholders - government, development partners along sector lines) – including at district level. 8 clusters are currently functioning in the country: HCTT Education WASH Early Recovery ShelterHealthLogisticsNutrition Food Security

5. Disaster Coordination Bangladesh LCGs Plenary Ag. & FoodEducationHealthWATSANDER Food Security Education HealthWASH HCTT Links to GoB Bodies: NDMC, IMDMCC, NDRC, LGIs L ogistics Shelter Nutrition Early Recovery Poverty 18 Local Consultative Groups (LCGs) STRATEGIC / DEVELOPMENT HUMANITARIAN WORK FAO / WFP UNICEF / SCI UNICEFWHOUNICEFUNDP UNDP / IFRCWFP HCTT composition: Co-Chairs - DDM and RCO 7 Cluster leads 3 INGO representatives 1 NGO representative 2 Donor representatives Where does FSC fit in?

6. LCG Disaster and Emergency Response (LCG – DER): The LCG DER works to increase the effectiveness of its members’ disaster preparedness and response efforts Donors and UN Agencies are organised under umbrella of Local Consultative Groups (LCGs) to coordinate with GoB on development issues. LCG Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development (LCG-AFSRD): ‒Deals with development issues. ‒Co-chairs: MoA and FAO. FSC reports back to LCG AFSRD to link humanitarian work to strategic development priorities of Bangladesh. Humanitarian Coordination Task Team: Coordination body created by LCG DER (January 2012) where GoB (Department of Disaster Management/DDM) and Development Partners / Humanitarian Actors (Cluster Leads, 1 INGO, 2 Donors) from 8 Clusters come together to coordinate: -humanitarian preparedness -humanitarian response.  Co-chairs: DG of DDM and Humanitarian Advisor to RC.  The HCCT provides guidance to FSC and other clusters and is the forum where common strategic issues are discussed. Decisions on strategic issues are taken by LCG DER.  It is also HCTT who decides if an emergency is serious enough to trigger a Joint Needs Assessment (JNA).

7. Food Security Cluster Bangladesh The Starting Point: The Food Security Cluster (FSC) was initially established in Bangladesh in early 2012 to: ‒Support to the Government and LCG DER on preparedness and response in times of emergencies. ‒Strengthen the collective capacity of humanitarian actors. ‒Streamline and coordinate needs assessments and assistance. Today: FSC Bangladesh has four pillars / areas we focus on: ‒Coordination & Preparedness ‒Information Management ‒Needs Assessment ‒IPC (Food Security Baseline)

8. Food Security Cluster Key Roles Food Security Cluster (FSC) work to ensure coordinated action during a crisis Making sure we all – in an emergency - know:  who is doing what and where  What still needs to be done  Where it needs to be done Support national capabilities Ensure a strategic, timely, and effective food security response Avoid gaps and duplication  Preparedness  Convene meetings  Needs assessments  Information management / 4Ws and gap analysis Improve quality and accountability Set norms and standards standardising food rations

9. Food Security Cluster Emergency Preparedness FSC contingency plan for cyclones In April 2013, the FSC Technical Working Group (TWG) started work on the “Contingency Plan for Cyclones in the South”  “one stop shop” Reference Document (30 annexes)  Quick Reference “ABC Guideline” (chapter 5) It includes details of: FSC objectives Coordination mechanisms + actors + their role in an emergency response What FSC activities before and after a cyclone Mahasen Lessons  the District Focal Point mechanism Mahasen Lessons  FSC response plan: standardised food and cash transfer details and agricultural packages; Needs assessment details FSC member and donor capacity (staff, funds and training) A key component of the Contingency Plan is the need to have District Focal Points to ensure coordination among members at sub-national level Technical Working Group prepared TORs & List for 14 districts)  See hard copy

10. District Focal Point Mechanism Objectives FSC District Focal Points in 14 districts in the cyclone belt will work to: Improve and institutionalize coordination (and information sharing) on food security By organising regular meetings, sharing minutes, maintaining contact lists and sharing FSC tools Support DC and DDMC with coordination of food security emergency responses Just one FSC focal point coordinating with the Government  ease the work of the Government officials (especially the UNOs). Strengthen overall Food Security Cluster coordination and information sharing, particularly in the event of preparing for and responding to an emergency. By improving communication from the field to Dhaka level. Preparedness  by collecting important information on district level capacity FSC response  by providing inputs on needs and gaps at district level Voluntary position – no dedicated funding available Who are the District Focal Points in your district and do you know how to contact them?

11. District Level Coordination DDMC* GoB Counterpart DDMC: 1) Meet in the different phases of disasters (preparedness, response and recovery) 2) Accountable to the SoD 3) Clusters’ counterparts members of DDMC Regular Coordination & Communication Food Security Cluster District Focal Point HCTT Bangladesh Disaster Response Coordination & Communication Where does DFPs fit in?

12. DFP Key Activities April – July FSC District Focal Point “Start-Up Phase” in April-July 2014 with activities to help prepare for an emergency:  Key stakeholders – arrange meetings.  Establish district contact list:  Agree on a regular "food security" coordination (monthly / quarterly)  Agree on information sharing system  Ensure awareness of the contingency plan (standardised food rations)  Assess the district level response capacity  Activity Checklist Overview [Hand-out]

13. Food Security Cluster DFP Emergency Coordination: During an emergency DFPs will work to:  Ensure coordination with all key stakeholders on food security matters at district level.  Identify capacity, gaps and needs at district level in coordination with DC and DDMC.  Prepare local response plan that complements the initial GoB response (prevent duplication and gaps).  Coordinate with key stakeholders across other sectors / clusters.  Activity Overview Hand-out  Contingency Plan, Chapter 4 & 5

14. Food Security Cluster District Coordination “Not only a disaster coordination mechanism”  Platform for overall coordination on food security: ‒Humanitarian response (sudden onset and slow onset) ‒Humanitarian preparedness (contingency planning etc.) ‒Longer-term development issues related to food security  Regular Meetings: ‒Quarterly meetings during non-cyclone season/ in non- disaster time (or as required). ‒DFPs should organize monthly meetings with the key stakeholders in food security at district level during cyclone season (or as required).  Activity Overview Hand-out  Contingency Plan, Chapter 4 & 5

15. DISCUSSION Any Questions

16. Group Work Each Group – 30 minutes: How do you visualise the food security cluster district focal point (DFP) coordination mechanism working? 1.Outline the 3 key benefits of having a Food Security Cluster District Focal Point in both “peace time” and during an Emergency. 2.Outline 3 possible challenges in rolling out the DFP mechanism (i.e. one DFP will represent all Food Security Cluster members in the district when coordinating with GoB counterparts and DDMC). 3.Highlight 3 possible solutions to these challenges. 4.What is the minimum commitment at district level from 1) DFPs, 2) NGOs and 3) Government counterparts needed to ensure DFP coordination mechanism will be a success?  Please write on Flip Chart in English  Please select one person from each group to present the group work. How can the Food Security Cluster & District Focal Point mechanism support the key functions of the DDMC and strengthen disaster preparedness? How do we improve coordination on food security at district level in an emergency? Key Focus:

17. Group Work Discussions: Scenario: 1) A cyclone is approaching your district. The FSC Dhaka has activated the “Emergency Alert Phase” in your district. The category 5 cyclone will make landfall in 4 days.  What are your key priorities and what activities should you undertake? 2) The “category 5” cyclone made landfall in your district yesterday and it seems a large part of the population is affected and in need of food assistance. What are your priorities and what activities should you undertake between now and the next 30 days.  Please write on Flip Chart in English  Please select one person from each group to present the group work. Key Focus: Identify the key tasks you should undertake as a DFP: -In the “Emergency Alert Phase” -In the “Immediate Response Phase” Tools:  Contingency Plan (and annexes)  DFP Activity Check list

18. DISCUSSION Future Steps & Summary

19. Thank you