Recovery

After the immediate emergency response to a disaster has ended oftentimes the real work for World Vision begins. Rebuilding countries and regions as they emerge from disasters such as conflict, floods and drought is part of our humanitarian relief programme. We are committed to staying and helping communities through the process of recovery or rehabilitation. This includes a wide range of activities such as rebuilding schools, health centres and vital infrastructure, resettling the population and supporting farmers.

Peacebuilding - South Sudan

Sudan is the largest country in Africa with an estimated population of 37 million. The county has been plagued by war for nearly 50 years. During this time there have been three main conflicts; Darfur in the west, East Sudan and South Sudan. Conflict in Darfur and East Sudan is ongoing.

In early 2005, Sudan’s government and rebels from the south officially ended Africa’s longest running war with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). 21 years of fighting killed 2 million people and forced more than 4 million from their home, according to U.N. estimates. The signing of this agreement has helped to create an environment where peace and development in Southern Sudan is possible.

World Vision is currently working with communities in Tonj and Mayendit counties under the Irish Aid funded DIPLCAP (Disaster Prevention and Local Capacities for Peace) project.  This pilot project involves 20,000 community members in activities ranging from building classrooms to strengthening dykes in flood-prone areas. 

However, just improving infrastructure is not enough. Work also needs to be done to foster a peaceful co-existence among the people in post-war south Sudan. Through the DIPLCAP programme, World Vision has mobilised local communities to form peace committees which advocate non violent conflict resolution. DIPLCAP is also teaching communities to practice better farming techniques to improve crop yields. Women’s groups, especially, have taken advantage of the restored soil in once-flooded areas.

World Vision is currently seeking additional funding for the implementation of a second DIPLCAP project, so that progress can continue in this fragile region.

Food security – Kenya

Chronic drought undermines many Kenyans’ ability to grow sufficient food to feed themselves and their families. 

The food insecurity situation in Kenya is further exacerbated by high inflation and the global food price crisis.

World Vision, with the support of Irish Aid is implementing food security projects in Kinango and Maragua Districts, to increase agricultural production levels, even during times of poor rains. These projects are training farmers groups in organic farming and water conservation techniques. After training, the farmers are provided with high-quality drought tolerant seeds and tools.

The farmers are also trained on goat rearing and are provided with high-yield goats i.e. they produce more milk. As part of their contribution to the project, the farmers construct houses for the goats. The goat manure is collected and used to fertilise the crops.

Tree planting is another core component of the project and farmers have established small nurseries, which supplement their income as well as combat deforestation in their communities.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Kenya Ministry of Agriculture have awarded World Vision and some of the farmers groups with certificates for outstanding performance in the field of food insecurity.

Health and water – Somalia

Years of conflict combined with frequent drought have left Somalia in extreme poverty. The country has been without an effective central government since President Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. Much of the country’s infrastructure has been destroyed by fighting. The health and education sectors essentially collapsed but are now in post conflict recovery phase in some of the more stable parts of the country. 

It is estimated that only 5% of the country’s rural population has access to health care. There is a lack of health care workers due to emigration, high child mortality and a very high rate of TB. Communities have little information on disease prevention.

World Vision Ireland supports health posts and Mother & Child Health Centres in Somaliland in the Hargeisa region. With the help of Irish Aid, World Vision is also improving access to potable water for 5,000 households and improving sanitation and hygiene standards.