WFP: Food assistance in Cauca. Strengthening food sovereignty and autonomy of the Nasa people

The food security and humanitarian conditions have been deteriorating in Colombia. Due to the increase in the prices of cereals, fertilizers and fuels worldwide (due to the Ukraine crisis) and due to Colombia's dependence on the imports of these products (mainly cereals and fertilizers), there is currently an increase in food prices in the country, low availability of some of these products, and direct effects on agricultural production, including harmful effects on the livelihoods of farming communities and populations located in conflict zones. Between April 2021 and April 2022, food prices have risen by about 26%, a factor that is affecting the ability of the poorest sectors and the most vulnerable populations to access healthy diets, since a greater proportion of their household expenses is spent on food. 

In addition, humanitarian needs have increased in the country due to the changing dynamics of the armed conflict caused by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs). The department of Cauca concentrates areas of violence in the municipalities located on the Pacific coast, in the north of the department and in the foothills. In northern Cauca, illegal armed groups are expanding the areas under their control for illicit crops, directly affecting indigenous and Afro-descendant communities in ancestral territories and progressively generating humanitarian emergencies such as displacements and confinements, as well as attacks against the civilian population.

People from indigenous communities of the Nasa ethnic group in the municipality of Toribío, belonging to the San Francisco and Tacueyó Resguardos. 

Direct beneficiaries: 2,800 people belonging to the Nasa indigenous communities of northern Cauca in the municipality of Toribío, (Resguardos San Francisco and Tacueyó).

Indirect beneficiaries: 36,000 people living in the areas close to the project and water sources.

Output 1.1: Beneficiary households have acceptable food consumption in quantity and quality.

Output 1.2: Beneficiary households develop sustainable livelihood strategies, adapted to their contexts.

Output 1.3: Beneficiary households improve their knowledge and productive skills, while being supported with cash transfers during their training process.

Output 1.4: Beneficiary women improve their productive capacities and benefit from the strengthening of productive assets.

Output 1.5: Participating communities have strengthened their strategies for staying in the territory.

Principaux résultats attendus:   Communities improve their food security and nutrition conditions, strengthen their productive capacities and develop coping mechanism to face new crises.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:   There are no previous phases. Baseline will be established in the first months of project implementation. 

• Local authorities including indigenous (traditional) authorities of the selected communities.
• National government entities.
• Civil society.
• Private Sector.
• United Nations agencies such as FAO.
• Humanitarian and development actors: Food Security and Nutrition Cluster (FSN), Local Coordination Team (LCT) and specific working groups.
• National or international NGOs, church organizations, the Red Cross and academia.
• USAID/BHA (donor cofinancing the project).

Phase 1 01.11.2022 - 31.01.2024   (Completed)