All rural people suffer during emergencies, but men and women
are affected in different ways Emergencies arising from natural
disasters, drought, diseases, civil conflict, market shocks and
extreme climate events often have their greatest impact on poor
rural populations. During 2009, the UN estimates that some 30
million people required emergency assistance. FAO says emergency
preparedness and response must address the specific needs of
populations dependent on agriculture, with particular focus on
food insecure and nutritionally vulnerable groups. Its strategy
to help countries to prepare for food and agricultural threats
and emergencies, and respond to them effectively, calls for the
use of socio-economic and gender analysis tools to identify the
most vulnerable communities. Gender dimensions of emergencies In
emergency situations, rural communities are frequently
traumatized and agricultural systems devastated, leading to
disruption of food production, livelihoods, health care and law
enforcement. Underst