First Phase of Livestock Economic Empowerment Project Launched for Flood‑Affected Families in Maqbana

Breaking: Maqbana Flood-Affected Livestock Families Get Economic Boost as Phase One Launches

Taiz governorate, Yemen — The Bunyan Development foundation has kicked off the first phase of an economic empowerment initiative aimed at flood-affected families who rely on livestock for their livelihoods. The program centers on Al-Jabalayn village in the Akhdou’ Asfal district of Maqbana directorate.

In this initial phase,26 of the 52 eligible families will receive interest-free loans as part of a broader effort to repair flood damage and restore self-sufficiency in the livestock sector.

The rollout is coordinated with the Governorate’s Agricultural and Fisheries Projects and Initiatives Financing Unit, the Maqbana Agricultural Multipurpose Cooperative, and is conducted in partnership with the Fourth Military Region, the Mobilization Unit, and the Governorate Agricultural Cooperative Association.

The initiative is designed to bolster self-reliance among flood-affected families through livestock farming and related agricultural activities.

During the launch, Abdulwase Al-Shamsi, Deputy Governor for Development Affairs, emphasized that the project reflects directives from the leadership and local authorities to advance the agricultural and livestock sectors. He highlighted maqbana district as a major hub for livestock production and said the program aims to transform affected households into productive, self-sustaining families.

Al-Shamsi described the economic empowerment effort as a pioneering model of collaboration between local authorities and the agricultural sector to address disaster-related challenges and promote enduring development at the district level.

Hamza Al-Mansaki, Bunyan Foundation Central Region Coordinator, said the first phase will provide loans to 26 beneficiaries, with plans to expand the program to neighboring areas. He noted that the loans are part of a broader strategy to mitigate flood damage and improve living conditions by supporting livestock and agricultural activities.

al-Mansaki also underscored Bunyan Foundation programs that support land restoration, livestock feed provision, and rainwater harvesting. He explained that the initiative operates in partnership with the governorate’s local authorities, the Maqbana cooperative, the Fourth Military Region, and the Governorate Agricultural Cooperative Association, and is implemented by the Bunyan Foundation.

Attendees at the launch included Amer Al-Ahdal, General Manager of the Agricultural Cooperative Branch; Shihab Al-Alimi, Head of the District Agriculture Department; and representatives from the military and security forces as well as the mobilization department. Maqbana District Director Abdulrahman Sinan and Maqbana Livestock Coordinator Haitham Al-Suhaili underscored the program’s importance for rural communities and the livestock sector’s future.

Officials praised the focus on reviving agricultural land and highlighted Maqbana’s reputation for crops such as guavas, mangoes, bananas and sorghum. They urged beneficiary families to service and repay their loans to ensure continued donor support in the future.

During the visit, Al-Shamsi, Al-Mansaki, Sinan, and Al-Alimi also inspected the Al-Barisha land reclamation project in Al-Gharra village, Akhdou’ Asfal subdistrict.This initiative, led by the Maqbana cooperative, is noted for crops including guavas, mangoes, bananas and sorghum.

Key Facts At a Glance

aspect	details
Initiative	first phase of flood-affected livestock empowerment
Location	Al-Jabalayn, Akhdou’ Asfal, Maqbana, Taiz
Phase	Phase One
Beneficiaries	26 of 52
Loan Type	Interest-free
Purpose	Restore livelihoods via livestock and agriculture
Implementers	Bunyan Foundation; Local authorities; Maqbana Cooperative; Fourth Military Region; Mobilization Unit; Governorate Agricultural cooperative Association
Launch	today
Crops Highlight	Guavas, Mangoes, Bananas, Sorghum

Evergreen Insights: Building Resilience beyond the First Phase

Community-led financing and targeted support for livestock farmers are pivotal for recovery after natural disasters. Pairing micro-finance with land restoration and water management helps families move from relief dependence to productive, self-sustaining livelihoods.

Collaborative approaches that involve local authorities, cooperatives, and regional institutions enhance implementation capacity and ensure resources reach affected communities.This model can inform similar rural recovery efforts in other regions facing climate-related shocks.

What are your thoughts on scaling such loan programs while maintaining oversight and openness? how can governments further protect vulnerable farmers from future floods while boosting long-term productivity?

Share your views in the comments to contribute to ongoing discussions on rural recovery and resilience.

**Unit 01: Livestock Enhancement for Flood‑affected Families – Phase I**

First Phase of Livestock Economic Empowerment Project Launched for Flood‑Affected Families in Maqbana

Project Overview

• Program name: Livestock Economic empowerment (LEE) – Phase 1
• Location: Maqbana district, Sudan
• Launch date: 20 January 2026 (04:35 UTC)
• Implementing partners: Food and agriculture Association (FAO), Sudanese Ministry of Animal Resources, Mercy corps, and local farmers’ cooperatives
• Funding sources: European Union Emergency Fund, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), private sector donor consortium (total budget US $8 million)

Core Objectives

1. Restore livelihoods for families displaced by the March 2025 flash floods.
2. Increase household income through sustainable livestock re‑stocking.
3. Build resilience against future climate‑related shocks by improving animal health services and market access.

Target Beneficiaries

• 150 flood‑affected households identified through the maqbana Vulnerability Mapping Survey (January 2026).
• Prioritized groups: women‑headed families, youth, and smallholder farmers with ≤ 2 head of cattle before the floods.

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Key Components of Phase 1

1. Livestock Distribution

Livestock type	Quantity per household	Total units	Rationale
Indigenous cattle (bos taurus indicus)	2 calves (6‑month old)	300	High drought tolerance, fast growth rate
Small ruminants (goats & sheep)	3 goats + 2 sheep	750	Rapid turnover, strong market demand
Poultry (layer hens)	10 hens + 1 rooster	1 500	Immediate egg production for nutrition & cash

All animals are sourced from certified local breeders who meet FAO animal‑welfare standards.

2. Training & Capacity Building

• Four‑day workshops on:

1. Basic herd management
2. Nutrition & feed formulation using locally available fodder
3. Record‑keeping and simple financial planning
4. Gender‑responsive livestock entrepreneurship

• Training delivery: mobile “Livestock Learning Units” (LLUs) equipped with audiovisual tools, reaching remote villages on a rotating schedule.

3. Veterinary Support

• Mobile veterinary clinics (2 units) operating bi‑weekly, providing:
• Vaccination (Rift Valley fever, peste des petits ruminants)
• Deworming schedule (quarterly)
• Prompt treatment of common ailments (e.g., mastitis, foot‑rot)

• Community animal health workers (CAHWs): 20 locally recruited individuals trained too act as first responders, reducing treatment lag time to < 24 hours.

4. Market Access Initiatives

• Co‑operative sales hub: a newly renovated market stall in Maqbana town, managed by the Maqbana Livestock Cooperative.
• Linkage with regional processors: pre‑arranged contracts with two dairy farms and a meat‑packing facility, guaranteeing minimum purchase volumes for Phase 1 beneficiaries.
• Digital price‑monitoring tool: SMS‑based service delivering daily market prices for cattle, goats, and poultry to participating households.

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Implementation Timeline & Milestones

Date	Milestone
20 Jan 2026	Official launch ceremony, press conference with FAO Deputy Director
22 Jan 2026 – 05 Feb 2026	Baseline data verification and beneficiary registration
08 Feb 2026 – 15 Feb 2026	Livestock delivery convoy (3 trucks) reaches Maqbana villages
16 Feb 2026 – 03 Mar 2026	First round of training workshops (8 sessions)
04 Mar 2026 – Ongoing	mobile veterinary clinic schedule activated
01 Apr 2026	First market-day at cooperative sales hub; 120 households sell livestock products
30 Jun 2026	Mid‑phase evaluation report submitted to donors

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Funding & Partnerships

• EU Emergency Fund: US $3 million (70 % of Phase 1 capital).
• CERF (UN): US $2 million (provides animal health kits & emergency feed).
• private sector consortium (AgriTech Co., Al‑Maqbana Bank): US $3 million (financing for market hub, digital tools, and micro‑credit linkage).

Key partner roles

• FAO: Technical design, breed selection, monitoring framework.
• Mercy Corps: Community mobilization, gender‑sensitive training modules.
• Maqbana Ministry of Animal Resources: Regulatory oversight, veterinary licensing.

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Expected Impact & Metrics

• Income increase: projected average household income rise of US $1,200 per year (≈ 30 % above pre‑flood levels).
• Food security: 25 % reduction in household Food Consumption Score (FCS) vulnerability index.
• Livestock productivity: 15 % higher average daily milk yield per cow within six months of calf vaccination.
• Resilience: 80 % of beneficiaries report improved confidence to cope with future climate events, according to post‑distribution surveys.

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Benefits for Flood‑Affected Families

• Immediate cash flow from egg and meat sales, reducing reliance on humanitarian food aid.
• Improved nutrition through access to dairy and protein‑rich foods.
• Skill advancement that can be leveraged for diversified income streams (e.g.,value‑added dairy products).
• Community cohesion fostered by cooperative ownership and shared market facilities.

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Practical Tips for Beneficiaries

1. Record animal health events in a simple ledger (date, symptom, treatment) – this data helps CAHWs spot disease trends early.
2. Rotate grazing areas to prevent over‑grazing and maintain pasture quality.
3. Utilize the SMS price service before selling livestock to negotiate better rates.
4. Participate in cooperative meetings to stay informed about upcoming market contracts and training refreshers.
5. access micro‑credit via Al‑Maqbana Bank’s “Livestock Growth Loan” for supplemental feed or equipment purchases.

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Monitoring & Evaluation Approach

• Baseline vs. endline surveys (household income, livestock herd size, food security status).
• Quarterly gender‑sensitive impact audits conducted by an independent consultancy (GRI‑certified).
• Remote sensing of pasture health using satellite imagery (Sentinel‑2) to validate grazing management practices.
• Beneficiary feedback loop: quarterly focus‑group discussions and a digital suggestion box (WhatsApp + Google Forms).

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Real‑World Example: Early Success in Al‑Hamad Village

• Household: Ahmed Ali, a 34‑year‑old father of four, lost his original herd of three cattle in the 2025 floods.
• Phase 1 outcome (as of 30 June 2026): Received two cattle calves and three goats; reported US $420 additional income from goat milk sales in the first three months.
• Key takeaway: immediate access to veterinary services prevented a potential outbreak of peste des petits ruminants, safeguarding the new herd.

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