UNICEF FAO WFP 2021-2025: Joint Resilience Programme in Mali

Among the concrete results and activities reported: Outcome area 1. A local (communities and local authorities) gender-sensitive approach to promote sustainable, equitable and non-violent natural resource management and ensure systems strengthening, and empowerment of communities, households, men, and women is developed and implemented. The FAO supported "Dimitra Club approach" was applied and resulted in establishment of 150 clubs, and the clubs and their leaders and supporters (for instance community radio stations) were subject to training. 1,520 households were trained in risk prevention and mitigation measures linked to climate change, risks and disasters. 80 awareness-raising sessions and establishment of eight "local conventions for natural resource management." 18 participatory community plans (PCP) were drafted and followed up with "creation of assets" including (amongst others): eight bore-holes, recovery of 45 ha of degraded agricultural land, creation of 13 ha of market gardening areas, reforestation of 4 hectares with fruit trees, and construction of 58 market gardening wells. Outcome area 2: Food and nutritional security, food, nutritional and hygiene behaviours, and practices of the most vulnerable people, particularly women, men, girls, and boys, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), are improved and the use of basic social services and social nets is strengthened. 2,006 children aged 6-23 months supported with nutritional supplements from local products, Over 2,500 households benefiting from cash transfers, strengthening of the national social protection system, including social registry and complaints and grievance management systems. Enhanced knowledge of nutrition, hygiene and sanitation practices through establishment (and training) of 112 support groups, almost 30,000 adults trained in monitoring nutrition/malnutrition among children. 227 health-care providers trained on the national protocol for integrated management of acute malnutrition, supply and data tracking. Over 11,000 severely malnourished children received nutrition kits. Five schools and three health centers brought to minimum standards in terms of WASH infrastructure. Outcome area 3: The resilience of farmers and pastoralists (men and women) is improved in the face of climate change and through the sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, diversification of their livelihoods and strengthening of nutrition-sensitive value chains. 1,636 small-scale farmers trained on (whereof 70% estimated to apply) sustainable land management, organic fertilizer production, processing and marketing of horticulture products. Committees and users' groups supported to manage water points, solar-pumping systems, rainwater storage tanks, and other infra-structure. Almost 4,000 people receiving seeds, and 1,800 households receiving goats.

"Strengthening "Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities affected by food insecurity, malnutrition and the effects of climate change in the Ségou and Sikasso regions" is in line with Sweden's Strategy for development work with Mali 20212025. The overall objective of the proposed programme is to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities affected by food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate change in the regions of Ségou and Sikasso in Mali. The joint programme will bring together the expertise of the three agencies in a multi-sector, multi-level and short-medium and long-term approach aimed at both stabilizing the food, nutrition and health situation of the most vulnerable in the targeted areas in the short term and strengthening the food and nutrition security in the medium and long term. This will be done by increasing the sustainable agricultural productivity and the income of the target populations while addressing the effects of climate change in rural areas. It will enable an environment for strengthening systems and empowering communities, households, and individuals so that they are better able to prevent and manage shocks and crises. To ensure sustainability and profound change, particularly in the nutritional status of these populations, increased access to basic social services will be ensured through the involvement of communities in good nutritional and hygiene practices. The programme has three main components and results areas contributing to the overall objective: - Strengthened local and gender-sensitive approach to sustainable, equitable and non-violent management of natural resources. - Increased access to basic social services and social safety nets as well as improved nutritional and hygiene behaviors and practices, enabling food security and nutrition for vulnerable people, including internally displaced people (IDPs). -Strengthened resilience of farmers and pastoralists to climate change, through diversification of livelihoods, improved nutrition sensitive value chains, sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity.