African and Latin American Resilience to Climate Change (ARCC) Program: 12th QUARTERLY REPORT

The project aims to improve the ability of vulnerable populations to respond to climate challenges and safeguard economic growth. ARCC focuses on advancing the Economic Growth Objective within the USAID Foreign Assistance Framework by promoting adaptation to climate change and integration of adaptation into other economic investments. The project has four activity areas with predefined tasks and deliverables: Task Area 1, Development of Vulnerability Assessments Methodologies; Task Area 2, Outreach, Training, and Support; Task Area 3, Knowledge Development and Management; and Task Area 4, Technical Support to USAID Missions and Operating Units. Key activities under these Task Areas include the provision of assessment methodologies to guide USAID programming of adaptation-related objectives, a vulnerability assessment tool to provide specific guidance into 'Feed The Future' planning for USAID programs, knowledge management support on topics such as evaluation of publicly available indicators of vulnerability, and technical assistance for field missions in Africa and the Latin America and Caribbean region. ARCC focuses on the following geographic areas: Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda; Africa Regional Missions, including East Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa; Latin America and Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic and Honduras; and Latin America Regional Missions, including Central American, Andean, and the Caribbean. During the 12th Quarter, plus the two-month no-cost extension period, the Senegal Vulnerability Assessment team returned to Senegal to conduct an options analysis event on September 16. The team also conducted a series of focus group discussions with local stakeholders to gather information on climate change impacts and adaptation options. In addition, the team provided technical assistance to the Government of Senegal on climate change adaptation planning. ARCC received a two-month no-cost extension in August, which is reflected in this quarterly report. The project also received another no-cost extension through March 31, 2015, which will be reflected in the next quarterly report. The project has made significant progress in developing vulnerability assessment methodologies and providing technical support to USAID missions and operating units. The project has also conducted a series of knowledge management activities, including the development of a vulnerability assessment tool and the provision of technical assistance for field missions. ARCC has the following goals and objectives: promote sustainable economic growth through the development of vulnerability assessment methodologies and other analyses that provide information about the greatest climate change risks to sustainable growth and adaptation options; promote improved governance through the development of analysis and methodologies that increase public understanding of potential climate change impacts and broaden civil society participation in decision-making; address the needs of vulnerable populations, and include gender considerations, by developing best practices in analysis of risk and mitigation of climate change impacts on these populations; and provide technical support to USAID missions and operating units by providing analysis, design, and evaluation support for activities related to adaptation. The project has made significant progress in achieving these goals and objectives, and is expected to continue making progress in the coming months.