Initial situation
At 162 square kilometers, Raphe is about the size of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, but has six times as many inhabitants. Around 98,000 inhabitants live in the district in southern Ethiopia without a secure livelihood and with minimal infrastructure.
The majority of the population relies on unsafe water sources such as rivers and ponds - often full of pathogens. Children in particular suffer from diarrhoeal diseases that endanger their health and development.
The people in Raphe are almost exclusively small farmers who try to feed their families on tiny fields. 96 percent of households own land, but it is far too little: 36 percent have less than 0.25 hectares, or less than a third of a football field. Almost three quarters of families own less than 0.5 hectares of arable land.
There are no banks or official financial service providers. Anyone who needs money for improved seeds, fertilizers or equipment has to rely on private lenders - at extortionate interest rates. The farmers therefore have no opportunity to increase their production. This means that the harvests are not sufficient.
Nine out of ten families do not have enough to eat all year round. They reduce their portions and skip meals. A baseline study commissioned by Menschen für Menschen showed that the months of May to September are particularly critical. During this time, most families struggle with food shortages. 12 percent of households even go hungry for nine to twelve months of the year. More than two thirds of families stated in the baseline survey that they had gone to bed without dinner at least once in the previous week. In almost 44 percent of families, parents went without food altogether for at least one day so that the children could get more.
As in many rural regions of Ethiopia, the only option is often to flee: fathers in particular emigrate to find work in other areas. Those who stay eat mainly ensete (false banana), a starchy plant. But a one-sided diet of kotcho bread made from it and a little grain does not cover the nutritional needs - the development of children in particular suffers. To stop the hardship, Raphe urgently needs improvements in agriculture, water access and food security.
Our help for self-development
A better future for Raphe
Our goal is to sustainably improve the living conditions of around 3,600 families. "A holistic strategy ensures that the people in Raphe receive more than just short-term help," says co-director Claudio Capaul (center). "We want to ensure that they can build a dignified future for themselves in the long term."
1. Improve agriculture
The project provides high-quality seeds, trains farmers in better cultivation methods and supports them in managing their fields more efficiently. The aim is to increase productivity in order to create food security.
2. Promote livestock farming and beekeeping
Those who only grow crops for their own use cannot earn any money. To offer families new income opportunities, the project promotes the keeping of cattle, goats and sheep. Beehives are also provided for honey production.
3. Promote cooperatives
In Raphe, people have no access to financial services. People are supposed to organize themselves into savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs). The offer is aimed particularly at women in order to awaken their economic potential.
4. Protect the environment
Intensive use of the soil leads to erosion and declining yields. Over 90,000 tree seedlings are being planted to stabilize the soil. 1,020 people are being trained in sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation.
5. Provide clean water
The project repairs wells, builds 15 new spring catchments and trains water committees, giving 4,500 people permanent access to clean water.
6. Enable family planning
A high birth rate exacerbates the spiral of poverty. Women often have no opportunity to decide for themselves how many children they have. The project provides information about family planning and contraceptives.
7. Advocacy for social justice
Many women suffer from traditional gender roles and have little freedom of economic decision-making. The project relies on awareness campaigns and training to empower women and people with disabilities.