Restoring Livelihoods for Flood-Affected Families in Lanao del Sur, Philippines
In the wake of devastating flash floods that struck the municipalities of Balabagan and Kapatagan in Lanao del Sur on July 9th, 2024, over 4,500 families were left reeling from the loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods. The heavy rains brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) caused widespread destruction, compounding the vulnerabilities faced by this region, already prone to natural disasters. Immediate relief efforts brought some respite, but a critical gap remains: livelihood recovery.
The Need: Rebuilding Agricultural Livelihoods
While humanitarian aid focused on immediate relief, such as food and shelter, the communities of Balabagan and Kapatagan are struggling to rebuild their agricultural livelihoods, which are vital for their long-term survival and stability. The local government, constrained by limited resources, has been unable to provide sufficient livelihood interventions. The MARADECA Emergency Response Team (M-ERT) conducted a rapid needs assessment, which revealed that the greatest need is for tools, seeds, and resources to restore farming activities and improve food security.
This campaign aims to raise the necessary funds to restore the livelihoods of 291 severely affected families in Barangay Molimoc (Balabagan) and Barangay Matimos (Kapatagan) by providing them with the resources they need to rebuild their farms, increase their income, and regain their independence.
Targeted Assistance: A Sustainable Recovery Plan
MARADECA will implement a comprehensive recovery plan to empower these communities, which will focus on delivering sustainable agricultural resources. Each of the 291 families will receive high-yield vegetable seeds (including eggplant, okra, string beans, bell pepper, cucumber, and snow cabbage), organic fertilizers, and essential farming tools such as gardening trowels, rakes, and sprayers.
In addition, farmers will be trained in sustainable farming practices that integrate climate resilience to safeguard against future disasters. This intervention not only addresses the immediate recovery needs but also ensures the beneficiaries' long-term resilience and food security.
The Present Situation: Immediate and Long-Term Challenges
The flash floods have severely impacted farming communities, who now face an urgent need to restore their agricultural livelihoods. Without swift intervention, these families will continue to struggle with food insecurity and financial instability. The limited relief efforts to date have focused on providing immediate needs like food and shelter, but no comprehensive plan has yet addressed the restoration of livelihoods.
MARADECA, in collaboration with local government units, is stepping up to fill this gap by providing much-needed support to ensure these communities can rebuild their farms and regain their independence.
Project Goals and Objectives: A Path to Recovery
Empower Affected Families: Help flood-affected families rebuild their livelihoods and achieve financial stability through agricultural support.
Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Implement sustainable farming practices to ensure long-term resilience and food security.
Provide Essential Resources: Distribute tools and resources to support agricultural activities.
Improve Food Security: Enhance food security and self-sufficiency among beneficiary families.
Incorporate Climate Resilience: Integrate climate change and disaster risk mitigation into farming practices to reduce future vulnerability.
Foster Peace: Promote community cooperation and conflict resolution by adhering to the principles of “do-no-harm.”
Key Performance Indicators: Measuring Success
To ensure transparency and accountability, MARADECA will regularly report on key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure the impact and effectiveness of the project. Some of the KPIs include:
Number of families receiving livelihood support.
Increase in beneficiary family incomes within six months of support.
Percentage of farmers trained in sustainable farming practices.
Reduction in food insecurity among the families.
Adoption of climate-resilient farming techniques.
Improvement in community cooperation and conflict resolution.
Action Plan: Steps to Implementation
Coordination and Engagement: MARADECA will engage local government units to secure storage facilities for goods and coordinate distribution efforts.
Data Validation: A 2-day data validation process will confirm the list of beneficiaries to ensure equitable distribution.
Orientation for Beneficiaries: MARADECA will conduct orientation sessions with beneficiaries to inform them of the recovery process and how to utilize agricultural inputs best.
Procurement and Distribution: MARADECA will begin distributing materials to beneficiaries within three weeks after obtaining the necessary tools and seeds from local suppliers.
Sustainable Farming Training: Beneficiaries will receive training on sustainable farming practices in collaboration with local agricultural experts.
Monitoring and Evaluation: MARADECA will regularly monitor progress, collect feedback from beneficiaries, and provide periodic updates to stakeholders, including a final project evaluation report.
Budget Breakdown
Funds raised through this campaign will be allocated as follows:
Procurement of high-yield vegetable seeds, organic fertilizers, and farming tools.
Transportation and logistics to ensure the timely delivery of goods to remote barangays.
Repackaging and distribution of goods to ensure equitable access for all beneficiaries.
Training sessions for beneficiaries on sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
Contingency funds for unforeseen expenses.
How You Can Help
Your generous support can make a life-changing impact on these communities. By contributing to this campaign, you will help flood-affected families restore their farms, secure their food supply, and rebuild their lives with dignity and independence. Every dollar raised will directly provide essential farming resources and training, empowering these communities to recover sustainably.
Join us in bringing hope and recovery to the families of Balabagan and Kapatagan. Together, we can make a difference. Donate today to support sustainable recovery in Lanao del Sur.
