News In Brief:
– IFAD introduces $100 million Multi-Donor Funding Facility to bolster Sahel agriculture, addressing COVID-19, conflict, and climate change.
– The program will aid vulnerable populations with inputs and economic integration initiatives and promote knowledge sharing for long-term impact and youth empowerment.
In a bold move aimed at tackling the triple threat of COVID-19, conflict, and climate change in the Sahel region, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has rolled out a Multi-Donor Funding Facility (MDFF).
This initiative is set to bolster the existing Joint Sahel Programme in Response to the Challenges of COVID-19, Conflict, and Climate Change (SD3C), focusing on aiding small-scale farmers in adapting to climate shifts, enhancing food production, and uplifting rural communities.
The $100 million MDFF is poised to amplify the impact of SD3C activities across target nations and potentially extend its reach to new territories, according to the institution’s press release.
It serves as a cornerstone of IFAD’s strategic endeavours and investment mechanism throughout the Sahel region, inviting participation from IFAD Member States as well as other stakeholders such as bilateral and multilateral donors, philanthropic foundations, and the private sector.
Norman Messer, IFAD’s Regional Manager for SD3C, emphasised the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the new funding facility, highlighting its potential to optimise donor cooperation in fragile contexts. He underlined its pivotal role in adequately funding regional initiatives addressing cross-border challenges.
Empowering vulnerable communities
Initially approved in 2020, the six-year SD3C programme, with a total budget of $180.4 million, was conceived at the behest of six Sahelian countries and Senegal. It aims to confront the intertwined crises of climate change, COVID-19, and conflict in the region. Notably, the collaborative approach involving FAO, IFAD, and WFP, along with regional producer organisations, has demonstrated promise, with a target of benefiting 854,750 rural inhabitants.
After two years of implementation, SD3C has made strides in assisting vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons and chronically food-insecure households. Beneficiaries have received essential inputs like small livestock, improved seeds, and market garden equipment, along with assets or cash for labor to rehabilitate degraded soils. Furthermore, participating countries have launched initiatives supporting economic integration, including marketplace infrastructure and information systems, and storage and processing facilities.
This funding facility’s overarching objective is to foster knowledge management and share lessons learned for sustained long-term impact, particularly among youth and women. This endeavor includes bolstering synergies among Sahelian nations, facilitating exchanges of technical expertise and innovative solutions, and contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on eradicating poverty, ensuring food security, and fostering partnerships for development.
