Livelihood

Improving children’s welfare by increasing family income and food security

Although Plan is not primarily a relief organisation, and our efforts are focused on long-term solutions, when disasters affect the communities we work with we naturally consider short-term needs as well as the longer-term priorities. Communities organised a disaster relief project last year after the war subsided, with Plan providing financial support to destitute rural families who had lost their houses, income sources and possessions during the conflicts.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mara (mother of eight) explained what happened to her family last year and afterwards.

“My husband, children and I were working in the fields one afternoon when we heard shots from the village. We abandoned everything and ran until we were exhausted and totally lost in the forest.  Since that day nine months ago, I haven’t seen my husband or had any news of him at all. For me and the children it has been a desperate time. I thank Plan for the support. With Plan’s advice, I used it to buy seeds for rice, to prepare the fields for a harvest this year, to send my children for study and I’ve also helped some children belonging to other families.”