Real-time Evaluation of CARE's Response to the Drought and Food Security Emergency, Southern Lao, 2010-11

Following Typhoon Ketsana, in September 2009, southern Laos was negatively affected by a significantly delayed rainy season. Rainfall was low, and this had an impact on this year's main harvest of 2010. In May-June 2010, UNICEF and MOH undertook a nutrition survey in nine Ketsana affected provinces of Laos. Acute malnutrition rates were very high, particularly in the Ketsana and drought affected provinces in the south. Notably Attapeu was experiencing very high levels of acute malnutrition, with a GAM of 18.9%. As a result, CARE undertook a food security monitoring visit to target villages in Sekong in August, and then a rapid assessment in early October . In November WFP and FAO undertook a Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM), the findings confirmed CARE's rapid assessment in Sekong. In November 2010, CARE commenced emergency response planning and project design for Attapeu province using funds from the CARE International Emergency Response Fund (CI ERF). Proposals were developed for AusAID and ECHO in December to conduct Food Security Emergency Relief Projects which commenced in January 2011 for a period of 6 months. The emergency response provided for the distribution of non-food items to the most affected villages to help communities recover from the worst effects of the drought and to prepare farmers for a successful planting season in May/June 2011. As part of the AusAID funding, CARE included a Real Time Evaluation (RTE) which aimed to: 1. Assess the quality of CARE Laos' response to the drought and food security emergency in southern Laos 2. Develop lessons learned and recommendations that will assist CARE Laos to a) improve the quality of current programming; and b) build disaster risk management and emergency preparedness capacities into future programming. 3. Analyze the impact CARE Laos' emergency response on women affected by drought and food insecurity, including assessing the degree to which gender has been mainstreamed in the response.