Food security and peaceful use of resources in the vicinity of refugee camps
Project description
Title: Food security and support for the peaceful use of resources in the vicinity of the refugee camps in eastern Chad
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Chad
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Economy and Planning (Ministère de l’Economie et du Plan)
Overall term: 2010 to 2013
Context
Extreme climatic conditions and the overuse of farmland have led to the degradation of numerous river valleys in eastern Chad. As a result, the reduced productive potential of the agricultural land and the shortage of natural resources (water, land, wood) is threatening the food security of the local population. Since 2004, the situation here has been made worse by an influx of refugees from Darfur as well as internally displaced Chadians.
Objective
The rehabilitation of the degraded river valleys and enhanced agricultural production have improved living conditions. Sustainable and peaceful management of resources has brought long-term improvements to food security while reducing the number of conflicts over scarce resources.
Approach
The river valleys are being rehabilitated through the building of weirs and erosion protection walls. These infrastructure measures are carried out by local companies with the participation of local people and are supervised by local engineering firms. By using locally sourced materials and appropriate technologies, and with the transfer of know-how, it is possible to ensure that the infrastructure can be maintained properly later on, and that the people involved can then also carry out additional measures. The project also provides training for farmers in improved cultivation and production methods, which enable them to make the most of the rehabilitated valleys. Likewise, the use of wells and warehouses helps to increase the amount of food produced and to store it securely. Farmers’ cooperatives receive support that enables their members to earn an income and thus rise above pure subsistence farming. Local user committees charge fees for the use of the new infrastructure; they also administer the proceeds and arrange for the necessary maintenance work.
Results achieved so far
To date, 26 new weirs have been built as part of the project, and five others have been repaired. Some 325 kilometres of erosion protection wall have been constructed in five catchment areas. The project has rehabilitated more than 1,200 hectares of farmland through its erosion prevention measures. It has also provided training for 20 elected user committees. In 15 villages, thanks to written agreements on the use of communal infrastructure (weirs, wells and warehouses), it has been possible to reduce the number of conflicts arising over the use of natural resources.