Migori, Kenya, September 24, 2024: A new project launched by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Government of Japan is poised to benefit vulnerable communities in Kenya and Rwanda through the rehabilitation of community water management structures. is completed. Protect and support livelihoods and productive capacity.
The East African region is currently facing unprecedented levels of food insecurity, with approximately 41 million people estimated to be severely food insecure and requiring urgent action. Key drivers of food insecurity include climate extremes (including historic six seasons of drought and severe flooding across the Horn of Africa), conflict and insecurity, and economic challenges such as weak currencies and high food prices. Contains.
According to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Center (ICPAC), the region continues to experience above-average rainfall from May to July 2024. This is a welcome prospect for food security, after the prolonged drought that hit the region until early 2023 reduced soil absorption capacity and prevented rainwater from penetrating into the ground. The risk of flooding and landslides is increasing.
In Kenya, the project focuses on building community reservoirs (water basins) to store surplus water, mainly in Migori County, which would otherwise cause flooding and destroy low-lying road infrastructure, farms and settlements. There is a possibility that These large community water basins store 70,000 cubic meters of storm runoff, help approximately 500 households (or 2,500 people) irrigate more than 40 hectares (100 acres) of land, and provide certified nutritious crops. The hybrid rice seeds are then planted. The project will also empower youth and women entrepreneurs to generate income through threshing machines that thresh rice and grains for a fee. Five groups of 10 people per group will be formed throughout the rice-growing area to support 50 households (equivalent to 250 people).
In Rwanda, the project targets 5,775 households (or 28,875 people) in Rutsiro and Burera districts and involves the rehabilitation of flood control canals, detention ponds and culverts. Awareness campaigns and training sessions will be held to inform communities about water-related disaster risks, preparedness and response.
Tetsuto Inagaki of the African Union Mission to Japan told workshop participants that the East African region is facing unprecedented levels of food insecurity, with an estimated 41 million people facing food insecurity. He said the project was undertaken at a critical time. Security is unstable as a result of extreme weather, six historic seasons of drought, and severe flooding.
“We are confident that through this project in collaboration with FAO, vulnerable communities in Kenya and Rwanda will be able to overcome the challenges of alleviating food insecurity. “We are very keen to learn from Africa,” Inagaki added.
Mr. Lucas Mosenda, Member of the Migori County Executive Committee in charge of Agriculture, Livestock, Veterinary Services, Fisheries and Blue Economy, was sworn in as a member of the Migori County Executive Committee on behalf of the Governor. Mr. Ayako Ochiro expressed his gratitude for this project which is in line with the vision and efforts of the county. He pledged government support and efforts to improve access to water for communities in downstream Migori County affected by climate change.
Farai Jimji, FAO Regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa, said in a written statement at the launch that the region is experiencing above-average rainfall, resulting in heavy rains leading to floods, landslides and loss of life. He said that The displacement of livestock and hundreds of thousands of people, the destruction of farmland and critical infrastructure. These floods, combined with the region’s longstanding drought, have further exacerbated the food insecurity situation.
Mr Jimji said: “This project is timely to support the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in both countries, addressing some of the root causes of flooding while repairing water infrastructure and mitigating the immediate impacts. This serves as a proof of concept that catastrophic flooding can be put to productive use.” These shocks were repeated in Kenya and Rwanda. ”
