Find out how Humundi (formerly SOS Faim) is supporting family farming in Ethiopia to combat poverty and food insecurity in rural areas.
Our work in
The CONTEXT
Ethiopia is the 2nd most populous country in Africa. The vast majority of the population lives in rural areas on less than $1.25 a day. Undernourishment is a recurring problem.
Although the government is beginning to focus on developing the agricultural sector, growth is very slow and the problems of poverty and food insecurity remain a major challenge for the country, especially for small-scale producers. In order to develop, family farming has to contend with numerous obstacles, such as recurrent droughts, a lack of irrigation infrastructure, dysfunctional markets and difficulties in accessing financial services.
Humundi’s work in Ethiopia
Since the mid-90s, Humundi (formerly SOS Faim) has been supporting family farming in Ethiopia to combat poverty and food insecurity in rural areas.
We work with microfinance institutions and local NGOs specialising in agro-ecology and support for small-scale producers. We encourage microfinance institutions to work more closely with small producers in order to better meet the needs of the most vulnerable.
Access to financial services remains a major challenge for small-scale producers in sub-Saharan Africa, especially women who face social, cultural and economic constraints. Against this backdrop, Humundi, in collaboration with local partners, is supporting several savings and credit cooperatives (Coopec) in Ethiopia. Owned and co-managed by their members, including male and female farmers, they design financial services tailored to agricultural and rural activities, thereby helping to reduce gender disparities in access to financial resources.
In Ethiopia, Humundi has teamed up with the NGO WISE to empower women economically through women’s savings and credit cooperatives. In addition to financial services, WISE offers management and entrepreneurship training to strengthen the economic activity of cooperative members, while boosting their self-confidence.
Key figures in Ethiopia – 2023
9
Partners
4
Rural finance institutions
5
Local NGOs
277 486
Beneficiaries
424 K€
Invested
Our countries
of action
We work in nine countries in Europe, Africa and Latin America to promote sustainable food systems. Working closely with local partners, we provide support tailored to each context to generate a positive impact.
