Most severe, large-scale humanitarian crises requiring mobilization of the entire humanitarian system to ensure an effective response.[1]It is declared by the IASC principals and implies the activation of the Cluster System. The designation of an Inter-Agency system- wide Level 3 activation is based on an analysis of 5 criteria: scale, complexity, urgency, capacity, and reputational risk. L3 activation automatically triggers mechanisms and tools for strengthened capacity, leadership and coordination for an initial period of three months. These include: the establishment of an HCT (if not present); deployment of a Senior/Emergency Humanitarian Coordinator within 72 hours; Inter-Agency Rapid Response Mechanism (IARRM) deployments; implementation of the L3 timeline of the humanitarian programme cycle; an immediate CERF allocation of US$10-20 million; and activation of the ‘empowered leadership’ model.[2]A Level 3 emergency response can be in place whereby an IASC system wide Level 3 response can be activated without a WFP/UN agency Level 3 response as long as each agency can meet its inter-agency obligations under a system-wide Level 3.[3]
A period during the calendar year when food sources are in short supply, and as such consumed in lesser quantities and/or with less frequency. This is most commonly observed during the period just prior to harvest, when food reserves are low and access is impeded by the rainy season. It is also the time when there is no activity in terms of production or predictable periods of increased food security stress.
A combination of the resources used and the activities undertaken in order to live and secure food and income. The resources might consist of individual skills and abilities (human capital), land, savings and equipment (natural, financial and physical capital, respectively), and formal support groups or informal networks that assist in the activities being undertaken (social capital).[4]
In-kind livelihood inputs distributed to beneficiaries to enhance agricultural livelihood activities. They have a long delivery time and the procurement process needs to start well in advance in order to conduct distributions to the final beneficiaries on time, i.e. crop and vegetable seeds, agricultural tools, fishing equipment, veterinary drugs and vaccines and animal health equipment.[5]
A set of international guidelines and standards for designing, implementing, and evaluating livestock interventions to respond and to rehabilitate livelihoods of herders affected by humanitarian crises and disasters. LEGS is based on three livelihoods objectives: to provide rapid assistance, to protect livestock assets, and to rebuild the livestock assets of crisis-affected communities.[6]
The list of low-income food-deficit countries (LIFDCs)[7]was developed by FAO in the late 1970s to assist in analysing and discussing food security issues. LIFDCs are currently defined as nations that are:
§ Poor -- with a net income per person that falls below the level used by the World Bank to determine eligibility for IDA assistance. At present, that means that their net income amounts to less than US$1,395 per person.
Net importers of food -- with imports of basic foodstuffs outweighing exports over the past three years. In many cases, particularly in Africa, these countries cannot produce enough food to meet all their needs and lack sufficient foreign exchange to fill the gap by purchasing food on the international market.
[1]https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/hpc_reference_module_2015_final_.pdf
[2]https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/hpc_reference_module_2015_final_.pdf
[3]To know which ones are humanitarian L3 emergencies, check https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/iasc-transformative-agenda/news-public/l3-iasc-system-wide-response-activations-deactivations
[4]http://www.unhcr.org/3d46515d4.pdf
[5]“FAO in South Sudan: Emergency Livelihood Response Programme, September 2016 to December 2017” available at http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6185e.pdf
[6]http://www.fao.org/emergencies/resources/documents/resources-detail/it/c/177304/
[7]Source: For a more detailed description please refer to http://www.fao.org/focus/e/SpeclPr/LIFDCs.htm