Darfur refugees were farmers before they fled Sudan in 2003. They are dependent on the World Food Program for food, but rations are low so the provisions do not cover their need. Refugees requested urgent assistance from the DWN in establishing small-scale farming and home gardening projects to produce their own food. The project will provide 1000 refugee families with rented land, seed and equipment they need to produce flourishing communities, agricultural security and personal empowerment.
More than 262,000 refugees crossed the border to Chad in escape from the violence and instability in Darfur. They were native farmers in their home of Sudan, but do not have the resources they need to reestablish agriculture. Refugees face malnutrition regularly as the World Food Program experiences food ration delays. The rations themselves have been reduced leaving many families with contaminated food or none at all. Starvation, illness and disease have become epidemic throughout the camps.
The Food Security and Agriculture Program will provide vulnerable groups, including women, people with disabilities, the elderly and widows with financial assistance, land, seed and equipment to produce their own food. The farmers will to be trained in agricultural working groups, taught marketing skills, record keeping of food production, financial accountability and evaluation of agricultural success.
By 2017, the first target group of 800 women and 100 men will be will be trained in agricultural working groups, taught marketing skills, record keeping of food production, financial accountability and evaluation of agricultural success. We know that with your support, we can assist these incredibly brave individuals to rebuild their farms and reestablish successful farming communities once again claiming food security and agricultural independence.
