Addis ababa: The African Development Fund has approved a $9.3 million grant aimed at strengthening climate resilience, improving water security, and boosting food production in vulnerable communities across Ethiopia and South Sudan.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Board of Directors of the Fund sanctioned the grant to mitigate climate impacts and enhance water security and food production in these regions. The project includes the construction and rehabilitation of seven solar-powered water supply systems and the introduction of integrated flood management measures to provide safe drinking water access to nearly 80,000 people.
The initiative will also facilitate climate-smart agriculture training for over 100,000 farmers, equipping them to handle unpredictable weather conditions and improve food production. Approximately 19,300 youth will receive training in agricultural skills, entrepreneurship, and the development of climate-resilient value chains.
Communities will benefit from new sanitation facilities in schools and public institutions, improved hygiene services, and women-led local water management committees. The project aims to empower farmers, predominantly women, by providing access to improved seeds, agricultural extension services, demonstration farms, and climate-resilient technologies that enhance productivity while conserving natural resources.
Additionally, the project will focus on restoring degraded land through large-scale tree planting, watershed rehabilitation, and strengthening ecosystems. The multinational Climate Proof Water4Food project encourages shared technical standards, cross-border learning, and coordinated approaches, fostering regional cooperation to manage climate risks affecting communities in both countries.