Semi-Annual Report: Irtoun III 'Rise Again' April – September 2018

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Office of International Disaster Assistance (OFDA), the program targets 11,413 vulnerable households in the Gao and Timbuktu regions, reaching an estimated 79,894 beneficiaries overall. During the reporting period of April to September 2018, the program achieved several objectives. Under Objective 1, vulnerable households expanded and diversified their income generation to meet basic needs and better withstand economic shocks. This was achieved through the rehabilitation of pastoral areas and irrigation infrastructure, distribution of Cash-for-Work (CFW) materials and equipment, payment of CFW beneficiaries, training of 300 micro-entrepreneurs, and distribution of financial literacy starter kits to Village Agents. Under Objective 2, vulnerable households in the Gao and Timbuktu regions resumed and diversified agricultural livelihood activities, raising household incomes and food security. This was achieved through monitoring, coaching, and training of market gardening group members, distribution of vouchers for purchasing livestock fodder, organization of mass information sessions on improved livestock breeding practices, and distribution of kits to Community Animal Health Workers. The agricultural situation in the target area was challenging during the reporting period, with off-season rice production activities suffering from low levels of the Niger River and its tributaries. The rainy season began in June, but regular rainfall did not occur until July, resulting in uneven and inconsistent water distribution. Despite these setbacks, the level of plant growth in the fields was higher than average, and markets were well stocked with foodstuffs. The pastoral situation was also challenging, with pastures being scarce and herders supplementing animal feed with bourgou, crop residues, and livestock feed. The price of livestock feed increased, and animals during the lean season were in poor physical shape, resulting in lower selling prices at the livestock market. However, with the arrival of the rainy season, green fodder appeared everywhere, and pastoralists resumed migrating to large pastures. The political situation in Mali was marked by the revision of electoral lists, presidential elections, and upcoming legislative elections. The security situation remained fragile and volatile, with actions of the Barkhane force, acts of retaliation by armed groups, inter-communal conflict, targeted assassinations, and robberies associated with the theft of vehicles and motorcycles. The program's beneficiaries targeted for Irtoun III were 27,600 beneficiaries (3,943 households) under Objective 1, 51,240 beneficiaries (7,320 households) under Objective 2, and 1,054 beneficiaries (87 households) under Objective 3. The total number of beneficiaries reached during the reporting period was 11,627, and the cumulative number of beneficiaries reached for the life of the program was 20,890.