What is the problem or need the project is addressing?
26% of the population in the Andaman and Nicobar islands live in extreme poverty. The tsunami in 2004 had a devastating effect on the islands, destroying the livelihoods of many communities who were already living in poverty. The hardest hit were workers in the farming and fishing sectors.
Two and a half years on, many poor communities continue to live on aid. However, this aid is now starting to dry up, leading to immense insecurity about future livelihoods and food security. Communities need support to rebuild long-term livelihood opportunities to enable them to take responsibility for the future of their lives and their communities.
We will support poor communities to build more secure livelihoods through seaweed farming or fruit/vegetable cultivation. In addition to providing new livelihood opportunities, fruit/vegetable cultivation will result in health benefits for the wider population. Currently fresh fruit/vegetables are unaffordable for poor communities and large numbers of people suffer from vitamin and iron deficiencies. It is therefore important to ensure that fruit/vegetables are grown locally and made available to poor communities at affordable prices.
What is the project doing?
The project has two key approaches:
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Improving business skills and widening employment opportunities for tsunami affected communities. Encouraging alternative livelihood strategies (with identifiable opportunities), with the ongoing support of local business support organisations, raises the likelihood of measurable increases in incomes amongst poor communities.
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Empowering disadvantaged communities to develop collective solutions to rebuild their livelihood. Empowering local stakeholders also helps enable the sustainability of the initiative once the project itself comes to an end.
What impact has the project had?
This is a new project. However we expect the following outcomes:
- 25% increase in income for 5,300 fishing/farming families.
- 25% increase in employment for 5,300 fishing/farming families.
- 1,100 small businesses established (seaweed farming and fruit and vegetable cultivation)
- Small business use business services and report benefits
- Target communities have access to a Risk Management Fund, giving security against loss of livelihoods due to future disasters.
Our local partner
Our main project partner is CEFI (Community Enterprise Forum International), a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable community businesses as a means for livelihood security and poverty alleviation. CEFI works towards increasing access to markets for rural communities through public-private partnerships.
How is this project funded?
The project is funded by the Big Lottery, UK.
