Focusing on the remote Androy and Anosy regions – about a four-hour drive from the capital Antananarivo – WFP.’s Rapid Rural Transformation Initiative offers solar powered centers, sustainable water resources and digital wellness checkscooperation with the Government.
The UN agency says the benefits to the community are numerous and welcome: energy, water and digital platforms, all delivered in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. school.
Enhance empowerment
Equally important, the project seeks to stimulate grassroots development, while addressing the most urgent needs of rural communities. If successful, WFP plans to bring the idea to other villages and regions.
“With this pilot project, we will facilitate rural transformation even in geographically isolated areasthrough providing clean water for irrigation, operating healthcare facilities, expanding their business opportunities and growing their agricultural value chain,” said Jocelyn Raharimbola, Governor of the Anosy region.
“After years of food insecurity, the real data show that the nutritional situation has improved through urgent intervention and cooperation with agencies such as WFP.”
This initiative is administered by the regional government and allows partners to provide additional services including: Business training for women and young members of the community.
Classes are available online on sustainability, business and farming skills, enhanced by easy-to-install solar-powered hydroponic and drip irrigation systems. of the program Sustainable and environmentally responsible approach is a “game changer””, confirmed Tomson Phiri, WFP Regional Communications Lead and Spokesperson for South Africa.
abundant sun
“If there’s one thing southerners have, it’s abundant sunlight; it’s hot, it’s dry…we’re setting up solar-powered centers to provide sustainable water for the places I’ve visited, we’ve introduced ICT (Communication Technology) information) in these remote areas, enabling the provision of essential services be it energy, green energy, maybe water and digital platforms to members of the community.”
Mr. Phiri, speaking via Zoom from the capital Antananarivo, told journalists in Geneva that while the north was entering hurricane season, the south was experiencing near-drought conditions.
A WFP spokesperson added that food insecurity remains a constant threat with 2.2 million people in the southern and southeastern regions of Madagascar facing food insecurity. at high levels during the pre-harvest period from now to April 2023.
WFP/Tsiory Andriantsoarana
The combined effects of drought, COVID-19 and increased insecurity have undermined the already fragile nutrition and food security situation of the people of southern Madagascar.
Mr. Phiri said that the centers are providing digital classrooms for learners: “I see young people, we are nurturing dreams there, I have met people, we have even started a business. I see a welder just starting to run his own solar business, see a barbershop, I see a community coming together with technology.”
unbelievable record
According to WFP, Madagascar is among the 10 most disaster-prone countries in the world and is considered the country most affected by cyclones in Africa.
The UN agency added that the Androy and Anosy regions are in the clear end of the climate crisis and there is a high prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age.
The Rapid Rural Transition (RRT) initiative combines two climate risk reduction strategies to support people: better natural resource management through enhanced agricultural techniques to protect produce produce food and diversify their livelihoods to combat climate shocks.
The United Nations’ WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for those in recovery. post-conflict, disaster and climate change impacts.
