Helping the communities of Geze Gofa to better cope
with climate change and improve their food security
Despite national efforts, malnutrition remains a major public health problem in Ethiopia, affecting in particular children under five in rural and disadvantaged areas. In southern regions, such as Geze Gofa, high rates of stunting and other forms of malnutrition continue to jeopardise children’s survival, growth and development. These challenges are exacerbated by recurrent climate shocks, food insecurity and widespread poverty, which limit households’ access to adequate and nutritious food.
The ARISE project addresses the problem of devastating landslides in Geze Gofa by restoring livelihoods, tackling food insecurity and malnutrition, and strengthening community resilience through integrated, multi-sectoral interventions. It adopts a community-led approach focused on sustainable development, combining early warning systems, climate-resilient agriculture and improved service delivery with innovative financing. A key element is the Community Resilience Financing Mechanism (CFRC), based on a mixed public-private partnership model designed to strengthen savings and credit co-operatives and co-operatives as local economic hubs, thereby enabling communities to move from a situation of dependency towards sustainable, self-managed resilience systems.
PERIOD:
JULY 2026 – JUNE 2029
BENEFICIARIES:
The project will target pregnant and breastfeeding women (484 beneficiaries spread across five kebeles) and plans to establish five SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations), two cooperatives and one small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in order to improve nutrition, livelihoods and resilience. By combining financial inclusion, community-based organisations and nutrition-focused interventions, ARISE (Anticipatory Action and Resilience through Integrated Systems and Enhanced Food Systems) addresses immediate needs and promotes long-term development.
Direct beneficiaries: 13,712 people, 5 SACCOs, 2 cooperatives and 1 SME (the exact number of direct project participants will be determined at the start of the project)
- Impact 1:
– 252 people targeted under the capacity-building programme - Impact 2:
– 465 people reached through the capacity-building programme
– 489 people targeted under nutrition-sensitive investments
– 5 savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) and 2 cooperatives targeted under the capacity-building programme
– 1 SME targeted under the capacity-building programme (for the fortification of cereals with vitamins and minerals) - Impact 3:
– 1 SME targeted under the capacity-building programme (for the fortification of cereals with vitamins and minerals)
– 840 people targeted through investments in education and protection (support and case management)
OBJECTIVE:
To help the communities of Geze Gofa better cope with climate change and improve their food security.
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