Agriculture and Food Security

Women in Somalia are increasingly becoming vulnerable in all aspects of life in the human contest. Life in Middle Shabelle is becoming of inferior quality by the day for women and children (Girls and Boys) and the situation is treating them too unsympathetically. The above is a picture of a lady of 15 years old who lives in one of the village in Middle Shabelle. She was attacked by a crocodile, but luckily she is alive although the ordeal left her wounded seriously. She had gone to the river to fetch water because that was the only source of water available in village. In the process of fetching the water from the river, the crocodile attacked her.

In as much as she was rescued, her life can never be the same again because she has been left with glaring scars on her leg which is a very sensitive part of her body. She now lives with the problem since she experiences difficulties that may not allow her to go to the river again due to the injuries inflicted. This is but just an example of the challenges that are faced by women in this region as they go about their daily activities as they try to fed for themselves and their children.

Agriculture and livelihoods sector

In livelihoods, WOCCA empowers people to overcome poverty by helping them to increase the production capacity of the farmers, have access to food supply, improve access to water, generate more income to spend on the basic needs and most of all reduce vulnerability to droughts and conflicts. WOCCA has been able to reach more people over the year in helping the communities to build their own capacity to respond to crises. WOCCA frequently intervene in rural areas especially middle shabelle where agriculture is a key economic sector. WOCCA also runs programmes in Hiraan region, Lower shabelle and Banadir regions In our livelihood programmes WOCCA targets the most vulnerable people in the community and focuses more on the women headed households as they are most vulnerable. To improve livelihoods, income and food security of communities in Somalia, WOCCA assists them with a broad range of activities.

agricultural support

Our activities include distributing seeds, fertilizers, farm tools and livestock and usually accompany the inputs with trainings on modern farming techniques. This has enabled the communities to become more self-sufficient through productive farming and livestock rearing. WOCCA carries out trainings on proper storage techniques and has provided the communities with modern storage facilities such as silos. WOCCA has been over the years working closely with the farmer organizations in middle shabelle.

income generating activities

WOCCA implements income generating activities that act as both short term and long term programmes. This is through construction and rehabilitation of infrastructures in the community. The community members usually contribute to the work by providing labour which earns them income. These infrastructures which include canals for irrigation and water catchments and roads contribute a lot to the improvement of livelihoods in the communities. These programmes closely involve communities through the establishment of community committees who are involved in the maintenance of the infrastructures.

emergencies

In emergency contexts, WOCCA livelihoods programmes are primarily intended to save lives and protect livelihoods. This is done by providing essential commodities such as food and water for their survival. WOCCA carries out programmes like provision of cash relief to the most vulnerable mostly targeting the elderly, ailing people and lactating women who cannot work. WOCCA also runs programmes like water trucking and basic food commodities distribution.