Income-Generating Activities - Action Against Hunger

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Once the basic food needs were covered, support for the recuperation of productive
assets was initiated. 1040 families took part in the first phase of the project
and IGA that had existed previous to the disaster and which would be the most
useful in the reconstruction process were prioritized.
To reinforce the short-term impact, the ACF water and sanitation team contracted
households or groups that developed carpentry or welding IGA to construct
wells. The ‘Cash for Work’ programme for rehabilitation of drainage systems also
provided the population the money needed to buy the goods or services offered
by the IGA.
III.III. ACF´s Role
The importance of the beneficiaries’ participation and the coordination with other
organisations in the zone is of key importance for programmes that promote IGA. The
role of ACF can always be adapted in accordance with the strategy defined for each
case, and according to the existing local capacities and their evolution, as long as it
fits within the mandate of the organisation. ACF’s involvement will depend on each
specific context, ranging from direct implementation to a more specific role of facilitating
processes or strengthening local organisations.
III.IV. The exit strategy
ACF does not aim to establish a permanent presence in the zones or countries
where it works. Given that the programmes for promotion and support of IGA strive for
a sustainable impact in the long term, it is necessary to establish some goals that will
help to determine the time frame after which the support to cover basic needs will no
longer be necessary.
The contexts in which ACF works may fluctuate greatly, making it difficult to set
time limits for the programmes. However, it is possible to establish certain criteria for
departure, which may take place when:
• The capacities of the target population are sufficient in order to respond to their
basic needs and face certain foreseeable risks related to the area’s context.
• Information, services, contacts and rights necessary for income generation are
available and accessible for vulnerable people.
• A local structure, whether it be through organisations present in the zone or the
public sector, is capable of offering the necessary support.
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INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES: A KEY CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURTIY