PROPOSAL FOR MALI - Adaptation Fund

waters) whose availability is indispensable for the populations as well as for the key sectoralactivities.Climate Change Impacts in the Programme AreaClimate change has led to the degradation of the regions of Mopti and Timbuktu, which,without adaptation action, will not recover even if climate change results in increasedprecipitation. This is of particular concern given that the expected unpredictability oftemperature and rainfall make the availability of a reliable buffer even more crucial.The dependence on rain-fed agriculture makes the programme area highly vulnerable tochanges in rainfall and climate change projections of an increasing unpredictabilityassociated with increasingly erratic rainfall patterns. Decreasing agricultural output due tolower availability of water resources, combined with the high volatility of food prices will haveadverse consequences for food security in and around the area in particular for the pooresthouseholds and communities that comprise 50 percent of the population. Declining yieldshave already led to unsustainable coping strategies including the lowering of quality andquantity of meals. The region of Timbuktu has the second highest prevalence of acutemalnutrition in the country (7.1 percent); and livelihoods depending on submersion riceculture already show the greatest risk of acute malnutrition (28.5 percent). 26Many communities have been forced to abandon their traditional livelihoods while nomadicgroups are becoming sedentary in order to take advantage of emergency relief programmes.As a result, agriculture and fisheries are being replaced by grazing on poor pastures whichgrow only during the short rainy season, from July to September and are prone to overuseand degradation. Without adaptation action, this degradation is expected to continue. It isestimated that since the degradation in the target areas, and in particular the FaguibineSystem, up to 200,000 people have migrated out of the region.Preferred Solution for Climate Change AdaptationNormally, adaptation actions that improve water access and availability are expected to havea significant effect on the productivity of other sectors such as agriculture, livestock, fisheriesand forestry supporting livelihoods in the targeted region. Therefore preferred adaptationsolution for the programme will include counteracting the effects of reduced wateravailability 27 by improving water infiltration, storage and flow in the Faguibine system throughmeasures that opens up silted channels and obstructed ponds. Increasing water access tovulnerable communities for multiple uses is enhanced by the rehabilitation water canals anddistribution plans as well as tapping on other sources of water such as wells, buildingrainwater collection and storage facilities. This will require restoration of riparian habitats andthe unblocking the water channels following siltation to improve water flow.Communities and local institutions have the capacity to integrate climate risk managementinto economic, social and cultural development plans and decision making processes. Theyare supported through enhanced coordination with the national and regional levels linkingeffectively the local institutions and community stakeholders.Local institutions have increased awareness of climate impacts and have the capacity ofgovernance and budgeting climate change actions.26 Report on Sentinel Site Survey Post-Harvest 2008 – 2009; Commissioner for Food Security, Early Warningsystem, 2009, p. 33 tables 17 and 18;27 See Aune, J.B. (2008). Adapting Dryland Agriculture in Mali to Climate Change. Norwegian University of LifeSciences, Department of International Environment and Development Studies28