Food security drought prevention, mitigation, preparedness and early recovery support to PNG The current El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean is affecting Papua New Guinea in the form of drought and frost. The lack of sustained rainfall and the repeated frost event have resulted in the decreased production from food gardens and therefore reduced availability of food. The Government estimates that 2.4 million people are currently affected by drought and frost, from which 1.3 million are severely affected. The major constraints are reduced access to clean drinking water as well as water availability for agriculture activities, reduced food availability and accessibility of food (drastic increase in basic food prices in markets), reduction of meals to 1 per day in the most affected areas and crop losses and increased cases of plant diseases, leading to lack of planting materials.
Support needs were identified in the following areas:
1. Overall coordination of food security activities at National and Provincial level
2. Food Security Drought monitoring
3. Planting material for farmers (drought-tolerant crops, early maturing varieties)

The objective of this project is to support DAL to prepare and respond to the food security needs, in close collaboration with other actors involved in food security (NARI, FPDA, NGOs, CBOs). The support will target four of the worst affected provinces: Southern Highland, Simbu, Enga and Morobe. Activities will include coordination suppo