The World Food Program (WFP) recently launched a major long-term project that aims to help more than 20,000 vulnerable households in the commune of N’sele, Kinshasa. The objective is to strengthen their food security and their long-term resilience by providing them with monthly cash transfers, creating market gardening perimeters and improving agricultural access roads.
The project is divided into several phases, and the third, which began in December 2021, combines cash transfers, access to basic services and livelihood activities. The “Cash Plus” approach is used to provide unconditional financial assistance to participants as well as complementary services offered by UNICEF and productive activities organized by FAO. This approach made it possible to reach around 80,000 of the poorest people in the second phase from June to December 2021.
The project helps families become more self-sufficient and supports the DRC government for greater social protection for children and women. WFP uses a manual cantonnage approach to help people improve their communities. The roadmenders are accompanied by the OVDA, a state entity that oversees the rest of the work.
The project also made it possible to create an agricultural service road in the municipality of N’sele. It connects several villages in the region and allows farmers to transport their crops more easily without the risk of accidents or economic loss. This road was developed under the supervision of WFP and is a successful example of how people can mobilize to improve their own situation.
In short, this project is an exemplary initiative to improve food security in the N’sele region, and to strengthen the resilience of communities through sustainable and adapted measures.