BACKGROUND:
Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s African development projects
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) has worked in Africa for years on development projects and will continue to work toward sustainability and self-sufficiency in the region. Food and water security projects remain high priorities. One of CLWR’s five year development goals in its Africa programs is to provide water security to 156 communities in Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Zambia.
In the last year alone, we’ve helped 78 communities get new or improved sources of clean, safe water and trained 9,928 households in the safe use and storage of water. Our work in food security last year has led to 5,065 farmers trained in sustainable agriculture; 440 farmers trained in livestock management; and 1,838 farmers supported with inputs like tools, goats, chickens, seeds, and storage, CLWR’s development projects promote self-sufficiency and sustainable practices in the communities involved.
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Development in Ethiopia: A snapshot
The goal of all CLWR projects is to create sustainable and healthy communities that do not rely on continual outside support and handouts. Aura, a community in Afar state, is a good example.
The Aura project involved the building of irrigation systems that enable the community to transition from pastoral animal keeping into crop production and livestock. It is a joint effort with local partner Society for Sustainable Development (SSD) and Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Through irrigation farming, the community is less vulnerable to adverse weather patterns and livestock disease. Maintenance of the established irrigation systems is now self-funded through farmer contributions. |
Training, education, and institutional strengthening all help to mitigate the effects of crises such as drought and famine by building food and water security that lasts. CLWR’s development work is ongoing and funds donated to development are matched by the Canadian International Development Agency—sometimes up to two to three times the original donation.
