FAO provides cash to households affected by desert locusts and COVID-19
In October 2020, FAO launched a cash transfer programme benefiting over 73 000 households affected by desert locusts, COVID-19, and chronic food insecurity. The beneficiaries were drawn from the most affected regions of Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' (SNNP), and Tigray.
Each beneficiary household received about 80 USD transfers to meet their immediate needs and invest in productive activities.
"The cash will provide immediate relief to vulnerable households while also contributing to strengthening the resilience of the livelihoods to future shocks and increasing agricultural production, thus improving food security and nutrition", said Fatouma Seid, the FAO Representative in Ethiopia.
The cash transfer programme was implemented in collaboration with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and Non-Governmental Organizations – CareInternational, Caritas Switzerland, Mothers, and Children Multisectoral Development Organization; Plan International, Save the Children International, Trócaire, Veterinaries Sans Frontieres Germany and Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Suisse.
It was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Commission’s Directorate-General International Cooperation and Development, the European Commission, Louis Dreyfus Company, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the governments of Germany, France, and Norway.
About FAO's cash-based programme
FAO's cash-based programmes support smallholder farmers and other vulnerable men and women, who are particularly exposed to the impacts of climate change, natural hazards, economic shocks, conflict, and protracted crises. They support the transition from humanitarian assistance to development, including through enhanced linkages with social protection systems that can be leveraged to respond to shocks and crises. The programmes allow recipients to choose for themselves, enabling farmers and pastoralists to purchase the goods and services they need most in local markets.
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Contact
Rachel Nandelenga
Communications Consultant
FAO Ethiopia