Assistance to vulnerable livelihoods in the drought-affected areas of the Dry Corridor

FAO ́s strategy was to quickly restore crop production activities directly to 4 500 rural households (approximately 22 500 people) affected by drought in the 18 most vulnerable municipalities of the departments of Choluteca, El Paraiso and Francisco Morazan. Considering the operative capacity and the initial need assessments carried-out in the field, FAO designed an initiative aiming at providing basic emergency livelihood assistance to the most vulnerable inhabitants and food insecure families affected by drought.

FAO's response focused on the technical framework and emergency delivery of tools, seeds, pest control, establishment of small-scale water harvesting systems and logistical assistance to vulnerable families affected by drought-induced emergency in the departments of Choluteca, El Paraiso and Francisco Morazan, aiming for a rapid recovery and rehabilitation of food production and saving agricultural based livelihoods.

Because food harvesting needrf five to six weeks after planting, families immediately received food assistance and cash transfers from WFP as well as training for adequate feeding and nutrition surveillance by UNICEF, local municipal technical units and NGOs.  Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) /WHO provided assistance, capacity building and provision of inputs in order to decrease the incidence of Dengue. Technical assistance was provided for the fast production of diversified backyard gardens and food production plots.

Water harvesting systems with low-cost technologies, micro-irrigation systems from water harvesting and recycling of water technologies were also used. Surviving small animal species were fed with Sorghum obtained from cultivated plots in order to maintain a source of protein source, such as eggs. Basic grain reserves and seed banks were refurbished and resupplied at community and municipal level. Sustainability of the families’ livelihood were granted by strengthening backyard economy, the introduction of water harvesting  technologies, organic manures preparation and the propagation of vegetative materials from drought- resistant food and fruit crops. Exchange of materials and experiences among participant families and communities were promoted.