Meeting Minutes 5.5.2017
Chair thanked NGOs, private sector, DFAT and PMO for their attendance as well as FSAC partners

A)   Assessments

·        Lawrence Nimoho led the discussion.

·        Explained there are 2 forms

·        Initial Assessment Form already up loaded to Smart Phones/Kobo Toolbox used by Extension Officers

·        Detailed assessment form will be used after Initial Assessment

·        Assessment open to all members of the community. For URL: https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/#YSgO​

For offline use, Visit THIS LINK and download the application on your device

1.      Go to General Settings -> Server Settings -> type in

https://kc.humanitarianresponse.info/foodsecuritycluster_vanuatu​

·        Chair Antoine Rovo approved the dissemination of info and use of the app + assessment form

B)     Communications

·          Mathias explained that crops, animals, fisheries forestry messages already on the radio yesterday

·      SMS called Redi Kakae was sent by Digicel on 5.5.17 to all users

·        After reviewing the Key Messages, the meeting was told messages are of several types

o   Messages before the event

o   Messages after the event

·        Meeting requested the Bislama version to be provided for use

C)    Food Basket &g) Non Food Items

·        Chair noted the SOP split these into two working groups but at this early stage its convenient to have the one Working Group looking at both. Split can come later

·        Teams have been visiting suppliers of food and NFIs undertaking preliminary assessments of availability/quantities

·        These are being collated into lists ready for use by local regional and international agencies

·        In addition DARD officers ieTanna are already providing information on items such as taro, manioc for food use and planting materials

·        Chair Antoine emphasised MFEM/donors must have funds available o buy and ship these

·        ·        Cornelia Wyllie offering to purchase root crops at 30vt a kilo (Processing cost 170vt) Cash for farmers with surplus to personal needs and a cash income opportunity. Later brought up issue of small packaging (individual portions) in Cyclone Pam was not practical. 2.5 kilo parcels better – culturally and logistically

·        Chair asked CW to be part of the Food Basket Working Group

G)   NFIs

·        Tools, seeds discussed including issues of Open Pollinated seeds, a short list of seeds that are well known and easily raised

·        Messages being prepared on about how to plant and raise the distributed seeds.

D)   Funding Finance

·        Developing a budget for urgent financial needs, especially in TORBA

·        Meeting noted presence of DFAT and PMO

·        Chair stated funds being moved to provide Extension Officers with sufficient credit for their Smartphones

E)    GIS Mapping Group

·        Group receiving high quality mapping technology support from , SPREP, NOAA, SPC SOPAC and other.  

·        Dr Chris demonstrated map being provided that showed impact zones based on predicted and actual Cyclone track to be overlaid with estimated households, land use.

·        This can be widely used for evidence based decisions combined with Assessment Information from Smartphones

·        For more information documents and maps go to http://fscluster.org/vanuatu/

F)     5Ws

·        Paul Worwor explained 5 W lists had been sent out but only GIZ and World Vision had completed it

·        Very important contacts are updated.

·        CHAIR EMPHASISED THIS AS A PRIORITY

·        Sites had been provided by Paul in emails

H)   Policy

·        Minister has released a statement on authority lines and legislation basis

·        FSAC has put out a short very clear Memo on importation of seeds, timber, rice, second hand clothes as well as quarantine rules and import permits

·        A policy is being drafted on Unsolicited Items

·        Policy on Surge Capacity Working Group to assess their needs and inform Chair so regional/international partners can assist This will go into the statement.

·        Funding Support – at FSAC request MFEM is now setting up an account into which donated funds can be channelled through GoV for clear tracking, reporting.

I)      Recovery

·        Draft proposals being developed