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the focus of research and future investment, rather than more and increasingly
sophisticated early warning systems.
Two aspects of early response are critical. First, early response needs to be
planned well in advance. Activities must be capable of being implemented as
soon as the appropriate warning stage is declared, which means that they must be
designed, with inputs stockpiled and personnel trained, well in advance of the
drought. There is a body of experience building up in how to manage such activities.
These need to be documented in a way that makes the information available to all
those involved in drought management.
Second, contingency funding must be available to permit the local authorities to
start these activities without delay. Contingency funding is diffi cult to secure and
administer because in some respects it doesn't follow normal Treasury rules; indeed,
regular government disbursement channels have been shown to lack the necessary
fl exibility for quick and timely response. In Kenya, contingency funds through the
NDCF will be the critical mechanism to facilitate early reaction.
11.5.2
Evidence-Based Response
Before the early warning system was in place, there was considerable political inter-
vention in the allocation of emergency aid, with powerful individuals, especially
politicians, claiming that the situation in their area was especially bad. This is no
longer the case. A strong and credible early warning system can reduce political
infl uence and ensure that decisions are taken on the basis of objective evidence.
However, an outstanding challenge remains that of convincing other agencies
that the EWS is good enough to trust. There is still a need to bring together all early
warning initiatives into a single national system that is used, strengthened and
trusted by all actors.
11.5.3
Organisational Mandates and Responsibilities
Famine prevention is the responsibility of government and is a classic public good.
Governments must accept their responsibility to fi nance and direct drought and fam-
ine management. Drought management thus requires an appropriate institutional
framework to ensure that this function is legally embedded within government and
adequately resourced.
However, national governments cannot do this alone; multi-agency collabora-
tion and citizen participation are also important. The detailed planning of drought
management interventions - for example, an employment guarantee in a variety of
ecological conditions - needs local knowledge and authority which local organisa-
tions can best provide.
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