ARENA: Supporting the economic, nutritional and food resilience of vulnerable rural families in the Itasy Region

CONTEXT

In the Itasy region, measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have created significant disruptions to farm operations and the marketing of products. This has had a major impact on rural household income: problems of accessibility and/or price of inputs and services, unsold items, falling prices…  

These rural households also deal with structural difficulties (limited access to land, loansharking...). They are thus faced with increased food insecurity.  

The ARENA project aims at preventing this phenomenon by linking together an agriculture that is adapted to socio-economic constraints and food needs for vulnerable rural households. The intended support is targeted specifically at young children and vulnerable mothers, “pilot” actions are also being conducted in public primary schools.

OBJECTIVES 

Sustainably strengthening the economic, nutritional and food resilience of the most vulnerable and malnourished families.  

More specifically: 

• Reboosting the production capacities of families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in the short term 
• Building skills to enable these families to sustainably produce healthy and diverse food 
• Reducing malnutrition of women and children in particular  

RESULTS

• 560 vulnerable families supported in the revival of their agricultural activities 
• 420 malnourished children (from vulnerable families) and their mothers supported for reduction of malnutrition 
• 400 students enrolled in 4 public primary schools and educated about nutrition 

KEY PROJECT INFORMATION