Emergencies : May 2006
Humanitarian Emergency – CECI is there!
Report and results
Drought conditions in Niger, hurricanes in the Americas … A number of disasters shook the planet in 2005-2006. When humanitarian aid is needed in the regions it works in, and its partner communities cry out for help, CECI listens and its teams respond!
Niger: breaking the cycle of food shortage crisis
During the summer of 2005, Niger experienced one of its worst food crises in its history. The crisis affected 3.5 million people—one third of the population. Emergency action was organized to provide relief to those affected by the famine. The magnitude of the crisis reconfirmed the importance of acting to achieve food security and palliate the effects of periods of drought and the insect infestations that ravage crops. CECI and its local partners are currently working in the Tillaberi and Tahoua regions.
In keeping with its expertise in this country, CECI opted to do post emergency work with local people and NGOs. The Supporting Community Food Security project helps ensure the food security of 50,000 people in 50 villages, with a $1.2 million budget. Thanks to donations collected through its network, CECI is making a contribution of $300,000 to support the Nigerian diaspora and Québec media that relayed the information.
Niger has a grain shortage two out of every three years, and cannot meet consumption needs. This creates a situation of food dependency, particularly in rural areas, forcing the Niger government to turn to foreign aid in cases of emergency or potential famine.
The seriousness of the latest crisis requires mobilization to achieve lasting solutions. The project being developed by CECI and its partners is based on food security committees, one in each of the 50 villages. The committees draw up their own food security plans and set up village grain banks that are managed by local committees. These banks stockpile grain, make sure grain is sold at moderate prices, and enable off-season crops.
Depending on the area, Local Initiative Funds fund village shops that sell essential foods and market produce, food banks for livestock, soil irrigation, soil restoration and reforestation activities.
In Niger, as elsewhere, the vicious food crisis circle must be broken. This project tackles this challenge in its own way, by focusing on sustainable agriculture and community development.
Central America: rebuilding after Stan
Two months after the famine in Niger, Hurricane Stan ravaged a number of countries in the Americas, but Guatemala and El Salvador were among those hardest hit. On October 13, 2005, CECI joined forces with the The Hurricane Stan Victim Assistance Committee and the Ville de Montréal to launch an emergency campaign in conjunction Luck Mervil, CECI’s sponsor, and Luis Oliva, an actor from Guatemala. The aid Committee is made up of the Canada-Guatemala Chamber of Commerce, the Centre d’aide aux familles immigrantes mexicaines, and the El Salvador Chamber of Commerce (CEDESAL).
According to the latest reports, in Guatemala, 663 people were killed, 844 are missing, 108,183 have been displaced and 5,000 homes were seriously damaged. Overnight, the victims, extremely poor families living in hard-to-access mountain areas, lost everything they owned. Constant torrential rain in the country has prevented access to the communities by plane or land. Stan destroyed 56% public transport infrastructures, completely cutting off 118 villages, while a sea of mud wiped two villages off the map completely. In El Salvador, over 60,000 people have been evacuated as a result of Stan and earthquakes.
In addition to a well-managed press campaign, an arts solidarity day was held on October 16 in conjunction with a number of artists. The campaign raised $496,747, which was initially used to buy and then distribute essential goods on site. CECI, which has been on the ground in Guatemala for 15 years and in El Salvador for 12, has solid teams and partners in place to coordinate operations. We would like to commend the excellent teamwork of the municipalities affected and the Solar Foundation (Fundación Solar) in Guatemala.
The home reconstruction and arable land rehabilitation phase is now beginning. It has the following objectives:
- Rebuild or rehabilitate the homes of 250 families.
- Improve the prevention of future risks.
- Improve the economic conditions of families through job creation and technical assistance in resuming economic activities, including agriculture.
The solidarity of the Salvadoran, Mexican and Guatemalan communities is abundantly clear at benefit events for victims: concerts, collection drives at soccer games, businesses, and schools, sales of Guatemalan coffee ... One and all have volunteered in making fund-raising for the emergency a success.
by Anne-Marie Brunelle
and Karine Fréchette
To find out more:
Agriculture and Rural Development in Niger