© action medeor / WARDI Info © action medeor / WARDI Somalia Food security for small farming families Programs Thanks to years of conflict and recurring extreme weather events, Somalia is experiencing one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world. A large part of the Somali population lives from agriculture - but the lack of agricultural inputs, lack of knowledge about effective farming methods and extreme weather events mean that hunger and associated diseases are widespread. Improving the food situation: Water supply, training and distribution of equipment and seeds A lack of irrigation of arable land poses a major challenge for many of the smallholder farmers in the project area and is a key cause of low harvests, especially in light of increasingly frequent periods of drought. To improve this situation, existing irrigation channels are being repaired and restored and irrigation pumps are being provided by the project. In addition, seeds, fertilizers and agricultural equipment are distributed and training on improved cultivation methods is provided. Another project measure aims to improve dietary diversity and health: 1,000 women are being provided with vegetable seeds and fruit tree seedlings and supported in planting and maintaining vegetable gardens. An additional challenge for smallholder farmers in the project area is the increasing risk of flooding, particularly in areas close to rivers. In order to reduce this risk in the future and reduce the loss of harvests and livelihoods, around 10 km of the river embankment is to be repaired and reinforced. Securing livelihoods through increased household income In order to improve the food security and household income of families, distributions of chickens, goats and donkeys (plus carts) are being carried out. As women in Somalia are traditionally responsible for the care of livestock and livestock is an excellent way of generating income, the activities are explicitly aimed at women in the target communities. For example, the sale of chicks and eggs contributes to an increase in household income, while the milk from goats can be used for personal consumption or sold. The distributions are supplemented by training on keeping and caring for the animals. Improved nutrition and hygiene situation In newly formed mothers' groups, women attend weekly meetings to discuss topics such as infant and young child feeding and the prevention, detection and treatment of acute malnutrition in children. To further improve the health and hygiene situation, training courses on water treatment and hygiene are also held and wells are built or repaired in the project communities. This provides community members with improved and sustainable access to clean water and reduces the risk of water- and hygiene-related diseases being transmitted. Project descriptionProject Goal: Improving Food Security and Strengthening the Resilience of Smallholder Families in the Hiraan Region, SomaliaProject Focus: Food Security, Water & HygieneProject Area: Somalia, Hiraan Province, Beledweyne and Bulaburte DistrictsProject Activities: Enhancing community structure and participation through the establishment and training of various village committees. Increased food production through training and agricultural distributions (seeds, equipment), vegetable gardens for women, improvement of (irrigation) infrastructure, and food storage. Increased income and market access through the distribution of livestock (donkeys, goats, chickens) and milling and oil pressing machines, training, and road rehabilitation. Improving nutrition and health practices, especially for children, through the formation and training of mothers' groups, cooking classes, and awareness-raising for fathers. Improving hygiene practices through COVID-19 prevention measures, hygiene and water treatment training, well construction, and CLTS activities (community-led total sanitation approach). Project Duration: September 2021 – June 2026Financial Volume: 1,741,183 EurosPartner Organisation: Wardi Relief and Development Initiatives (WARDI)Funding: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)Project Number: 6000220 Your contact person Alessandra Behler Programme Manager Somalia Phone: +49 2156 9788-114 TPL_EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.