Disaster Risk Management to Reduce Food Insecurity in Chad

projekt beendet

ContextCommunities in the Sila region of Chad have little resilience to drought and flooding due to the extreme pressure on traditional, inappropriate land use systems. This pressure is the result of the high population growth rate and the unregulated influx of refugees over the years. Furthermore, the Government offers local and regional institutions little assistance in dealing with the impacts of disasters and reconstructing affected areas. The population is not prepared for the ever more frequent drastic droughts and floods and cannot rely on government support in its efforts to cope with these. It is largely dependent on external support.ObjectiveCommunities in the Sila region of Chad are more resilient to drought and flooding. This is reflected, among other things, in:gender-sensitive risk mapping for 30 municipalities in the river basin area of the Sila region,significantly larger areas of cropland and pasture and a considerable increase in the number of usable (or rehabilitated) waterholes,confirmation from the majority of women that they benefit from 60 per cent of the new wells and waterholes.ApproachThe project combines the rehabilitation of areas affected by flooding in 2012 with disaster prevention measures. This improves the population’s resilience to future disasters and climate fluctuation and paves the way for sustainable development.Partner and project staff initially undergo technical and methodological training to prepare them for the work on site. The project is then rolled out throughout the region, starting with risk assessment in the municipalities. On this basis, individual measures to prevent and prepare for disasters are developed and implemented in work packages. The planned measures focus on three areas of activity:1.Capacity development of government bodies with respect to the management of drought and flood risks2.Supporting municipalities and regional and local authorities in the planning, implementation and monitoring of disaster risk management measures3.Creating disaster-resilient living conditions for communities in the regionThe project promotes the capacity development of people, organisations and groups to enable them to sustainably shape their own development and adapt in response to changing conditions. A key element of the project is the structural strengthening of committees and administrative bodies in terms of both organisation and cooperation. Those taking part in human capacity development measures (change agents) also benefit at an individual level through professional and personal advancement.The project’s structure-building approach must be actively supported and embraced by all stakeholders (ownership) if institutional strengthening, capacity development and greater interaction of all stakeholders are to be achieved.

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