F.a: Gedio Community Resilience Enhancement Project

General

Land degradation is a prevalent environmental problem in Ethiopia, exacerbated by the effects of climate change. It's one of the main reasons for low and declining agricultural output, as well as persistent food insecurity and rural poverty. Rapid population growth (2.5 percent per year), severe soil erosion, deforestation, low vegetative cover, and uneven crop and livestock production are all common drivers of land degradation in Ethiopia. Gedeo zone is made up of six districts/Woredas and two town administrative, with a population of 1 million people, of which 85.6 % live in rural areas. Wonago and Yirigachfe woredas, in particular, have a population density of 1329 people per square kilometer, making them the most densely populated areas in the country, with extensive land use by small scale farmers in both woredas. Due to this, access to better livelihoods is limited. Furthermore, the two woredas have been dealing with serious environmental issues as a result of a massive and widespread overuse of natural resources. Drought has regularly harmed important livelihood activities such as agriculture, livestock, water and natural resources, and biodiversity resulting in acute food shortages, resource conflict, and a severe economic blow to the local economy. Furthermore, because of the dense population, the majority of households are affected by seasonal drought shocks in addition to health challenges. The project aims to address these challenges through rehabilitation of degraded lands, natural resource conservation activities, and diversification of income to reduce the over utilization of resources. Through the project ativities climate change adaptation capabilities and livelihood opportunities are enhanced, and awareness and practices of target community on climate change adaptation mechanisms are improved. The beneficiaries of the project are people in the project area who get their living from the land as well as the officials who work for land, argriculture and environmental issues. The implementing agency is the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus-Development and Social Services Commission (EECMY-DASSC).