Gardens Give Hope, Health, and Income in E. Africa

This year, we are continuing our partnership with Women Relief Aid (WRA) in Torit County South Sudan. This local organization is doing important work to uplift women and their communities in rural South Sudan. WRA has a diverse range of programming including, post-conflict and peace-building initiatives that center women’s perspectives, girl and women empowerment and education projects, vocational services, initiatives to promote economic opportunities and job creation, and even a skate-boarding club. SPI is working strategically with WRA to build and strengthen their agricultural activities to address the extreme poverty, malnutrition and food insecurity experienced in the region. 

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, faces severe food insecurity exacerbated by a complex interplay of factors. South Sudan is still recovering from the high inflation rates experienced during the COVID pandemic. This inflation caused food prices to increase, making staples unaffordable to many.  Erratic weather patterns, driven by climate change, have led to unpredictable rainfall and prolonged droughts, disrupting agriculture and reducing crop yields. Additionally, ongoing conflict, displacement, and political instability hinder both domestic and international efforts to stabilize food supplies. Together, these issues create a dire situation with 7 million South Sudanese, about 60% of the population, struggling to secure adequate nourishment, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated humanitarian assistance.

Our partner project with WRA supported 150 women to run community-based agricultural clubs, providing increased nutrition to 4,000 community members. This project provided a growing season's worth of training and regular extension services to participating women groups. The women were also given necessary agricultural inputs, including: diverse varieties of vegetable seed, water storage and management technology, and gardening tools. By building durable and sustainable livelihoods, participants can feed and provide for their families. This project provides income generating opportunities for the participating women, supports development of the local economy, increases the local food supply, and strengthens the community against economic disruptions caused by climate stress and regional conflict. The club aspect of the program also provides women with a support network to strengthen their local bonds and enhance the overall well-being of the community.

We thank you for supporting this program and our other programs in East Africa. We plan to continue this partnership to reach additional women in the region and improve community food security and nutrition. 

Imagine a land where relentless droughts grip the earth, followed by sudden, devastating floods. This is the harsh reality for farmers in Burji, Ethiopia, one of the country's most remote regions. Here, communities are facing both ends of a harsh reality that has been imposed upon them in recent years because of climate change. One season they suffer drought, and then next there's too much rainfall. They face a constant struggle to survive, their traditional ways challenged by a rapidly changing climate.

A Tale of Two Threats:

• Crippling Droughts: Burji endures long periods with little to no rainfall, baking the land and leaving crops parched. This lack of water jeopardizes food security and pushes communities to the brink of hunger. Last year, after 3 consecutively failed rainy seasons, hundreds of thousands of livestock died to dehydration and malnutrition, and communities were worried the malnutrition would hit them next.

• Destructive Floods: Finally at the end of last year, the rains finally did come, and there was a succesful harvest, leaving communities hopeful that they had weathered through a rare drought season. But this year, in late March, when the rains came again, celebration turned to worry. Flash floods swept across the landscape, destroying crops, homes, and infrastructure. These unpredictable downpours leave a trail of devastation in their wake.

The harsh reality of both intermittent floods and droughts poses a significant challenge to food security and livelihoods. We realize that we must build resilience on both ends. Seed Programs International (SPI) and local partner Grow East Africa are working together to empower Burji's farmers in this seemingly impossible situation. Their project tackles both ends of the climate spectrum, and currently works directly with 410 households, impacting over 2,000 individuals. Through a comprehensive approach, the program aims to:

• Increase Agricultural Knowledge: Farmers are equipped with essential skills and knowledge to improve their agricultural practices. This empowers them to make informed decisions and adapt to changing environmental conditions.

• Reduce Hunger and Diversify Diets: The project promotes the production of a wider variety of nutritious crops, ensuring a more balanced and healthy diet for families.

• Climate-Smart Technologies: A crucial element is the introduction and utilization of climate-smart technologies. This includes water storage solutions, irrigation systems, solar power, and pump technology. These tools empower farmers to adapt to both droughts and floods, increasing their resilience in the face of climate change.

• Drought mitigation and flood preparedness: Farmers are trained in water-saving techniques like conservation agriculture and equipped with drought-resistant seeds. We are now working together to develop flood-resistance infrastructure like adapted furrow irrigation systems and early warning systems. This allows farmers to anticipate floods and minimize damage to their crops and livelihoods.

Beyond Survival: Building a Sustainable Future:

This project isn't just about surviving the next drought or flood. It's about building long-term resilience and empowering Burji's communities to thrive. By equipping farmers with the knowledge, resources, and technology they need, SPI and Grow East Africa are helping them:

• Secure their food supply: Increased agricultural productivity ensures families have enough to eat, even during challenging times.

• Adapt to a changing climate: Farmers gain the skills and tools to navigate the unpredictable weather patterns brought on by climate change.

• Build a brighter future: The project fosters sustainable practices that protect the environment and ensure long-term food security for generations to come.

Your support helps us continue to adapt with our partners, iterating and innovating to respond to their changing needs. It's an ongoing struggle, but we know together we can stabilize communities and help them adapt to their changing realities. Thank you for your belief and support in our work, and more importantly, in the families that work hard to better their situations. Please share this report with someone you think might be interested, and encourage them to become a recurring monthly donor. It is these donations that make our work possible!