Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL

Impact of our work in 2021

FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS

People in fragile, conflict-affected states are twice as likely to be undernourished as those residing in other developing countries. Climate change and the continued increase in forced displacements further exacerbate food insecurity and livelihood challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures pushed even more people into extreme poverty. ZOA provides food assistance in emergency situations, preferably through distribution of cash or vouchers. During the recovery phase, ZOA supports people in building sustainable livelihoods. We are pleased to share some of the life-changing results we achieved in 2021.

SOUTH SUDAN

Farming beyond survival

In a country where food insecurity is perilously high, Jonglei tops the bill with around 60% of the people categorized as food insecure. The main causes for this are conflict and natural disasters, flooding in particular. Quite often we hear from the farmers we work with that they lost their crops due to violence: armed men looting or destroying everything in their path. Flooding in the last few years has been more severe than in living memory. In Jonglei, ZOA works with 102 farmer groups of approximately 25 farmers per group. In this way, we impact 2,550 farmer households (15,000 people). ZOA usually works with farmer groups rather than individuals in an effort to bring about an element of cohesion: farmers learning from one another as they try out new farming techniques. Being part of a group often leads to farmers learning to trust one another, which results in activities such as forming cooperatives and collectively constructing storage rooms. This will help the farmers command a better price for their crops. ZOA strives to enable farmers to thrive rather than simply survive, by empowering them to make a good living off of their land.

MYANMAR

Better nutrition through diversification

In Myanmar, the primary nutrition-related problems stem from the lack of dietary diversification and poor nutritional intake due to unhygienic practices. While few people here suffer from acute malnutrition, many experience undernutrition. Undernutrition is often caused by a lack of dietary diversification and diarrhoea. This results in deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals and, consequently, increased vulnerability of disease and even death. ZOA’s work through its food security project aims to improve dietary and hygiene practices. We focus on the diversification of fruit and vegetable production at the household level in combination with integrated WASH activities. In this manner, we intend to improve the dietary and hygiene practices of 3,275 people in selected regions of Rakhine State, particularly among women and infants. In 2021, ZOA contributed to positive change by implementing home gardening and hygiene promotion activities in Rakhine villages and IDP communities. Through learning, 2,600 people significantly improved their nutritional status. It has not been an easy task, however. Unsafe hygiene practices, such as drinking unclean water, have been used for generations and are challenging to combat. We are pleased with the improvements we have seen and strive to have even greater impact.

IRAQ

Climate Smart Agriculture

Since 2015, ZOA has responded to the crisis ISIS created in Iraq by providing people with emergency items, such as food parcels. After it was safe enough for people to leave the refugee camps and return to their hometowns, ZOA helped farming communities clean up their lands, trained them to re-start their agricultural practices, and aided them with inputs. In addition to responding to the myriad of issues created by years of conflict in Iraq, ZOA is also responding to the impact of climate change. Extreme drought has resulted in the loss of 70% of the local harvest. ZOA - together with Dutch and Iraq knowledge institutions - has developed an approach

NIGERIA

Providing food, water, livelihood and education for IDPs

After more than a decade of conflict in the Lake Chad region, Northeast Nigeria continues to experience significant humanitarian needs. ZOA’s presence and support are essential to the lives of affected communities, especially children, women, elders, and people with special needs. ZOA aims to reduce food insecurity through relief and recovery assistance. We have supported vulnerable people in Borno State in Nigeria since 2018 by providing food, water, sanitation facilities, and schooling for children. In 2021, we supported 17,533 people by providing every household with an average of 70 Euros per month (cash) during the lean season, when people face extreme difficulties buying food and other essential items. ZOA also provided 1,006 households with an average of 110 Euros worth of start-up livelihood kits to facilitate income generation. Together with these income-generating activities, ZOA promoted saving habits, educating people to reduce unnecessary expenses and save for their future. We are pleased to report that more than 1,300 households joined VSLAs (Village Saving and Loan Associations), a community-run banking initiative. Additionally, more than 150 women started a petty trading business with their personal savings and VSLA loans. It will take time to find long-lasting solutions for the affected communities. ZOA will continue to provide assistance with the goal of creating sustainable solutions for their betterment.

to disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Food Security Livelihood by training farmers and government extension workers in awareness and modern practices in addition to providing start-up inputs and support. We are pleased to share 2,550 farmers and 47 government workers were trained in Climate Smart Agriculture and Advanced Agriculture practices in 2021. To restore the broken economy, ZOA is also working on value chain development. This is increasing food security in addition to providing jobs. ZOA is a pioneer in the Public Private Partnership, where Iraqi companies work with peasant farmers. “I have lost my husband, who was a farmer, in the war. Now I am responsible for the cultivation of my land with five small children. ZOA has helped me with training and with inputs, which helped me continue to farm the land and to have a small income as well, as I’m growing most of my own food.”