Four people standing in last green rice field. © CBM/Happuc

Partnering to ensure food security for farmers with disabilities

CBM’s project in Togo helps persons with disabilities create new income opportunities using funds from public donors.

In 2023, CBM and its partner Inades-Formation Togo initiated a project in Togo to support persons with disabilities, such as 53-year-old farmer Aboudou Abou.

Aboudou contracted polio at the age of three. The father of four still suffers from the consequences to this day.

“Even the walk to the field is very strenuous for me,” says the man from Togo. “I can hardly work when I get there because of exhaustion.”

Despite all his efforts, there were many days when there was only enough food for one meal for Aboudou Abou and his family.

If the farmer had access to improved agricultural tools, it would significantly enhance efficiency. Alternatively, proximity to a water source, such as a Well, would also improve the current challenge.

A Comprehensive Aid Concept

© ©CBM/Happuc
A bountiful harvest for Aboudou and other farmers with support from CBM and partners.

To support persons with disabilities in Togo, CBM developed a comprehensive aid concept with Inades Formation Togo. With funding support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), 75 per cent of the required funds were secured, enabling the implementation of the project.

Key Project Initiatives

  • Drilling Additional Wells: This effort aimed to provide easier access to water, alleviating the daily hardships of many families.
  • Creating New Income Avenues: Initiatives like beekeeping were introduced to reduce the reliance on laborious farming and improve livelihoods.

This initiative paved the way for a better future for approximately 22,000 people in Togo.

A Broader Impact

The success of this project is just one of the 107 projects in 35 countries in 2023 that were co-financed by public donors, including the BMZ, the German Federal Foreign Office, the European Union, the United Nations, and the United States Agency for International Development.

This collaboration significantly magnified the impact of the aid provided by CBM donors and partners. The supported projects encompass diverse areas, from eye health and the fight against hunger and water scarcity to creating livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities. This showcases the collective effort to alleviate hardship and pave the path to a better future for many people worldwide.