Canadian Minister Beverly Oda has announced that the?Government of Canada will extend support to cooperative associations through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to further reduce poverty and help the world’s most vulnerable peoples through Canadian organizations.

This will mean a total of $ 111.7 million in 23 projects from the “Over $ 2 million” category and $ 30.7 million in 30 projects from the “Under $ 2 million ” category.

“The Government is achieving significant results for people in need by focusing on effective projects that are sustainable and efficiently executed. Numerous Canadian organizations put forth many worthwhile projects, calling for rigorous assessments and difficult decisions,” said Minister Oda. “Our government is continuing its commitment to all Canadians who believe that Canada’s international assistance must deliver results and make a difference in the lives of the world’s vulnerable people.”

“Canadians can take pride in all the organizations that are reflecting our compassion and efforts to make the world a better place,”Oda said. “The projects to be supported will address food security in vulnerable regions, improve the health of pregnant women, newborns and children, improve learning opportunities for children, and support the creation of new local enterprises to foster economic growth.”

Some of the projects in the “Over $ 2 million” Category include:

Country: Rwanda

The Rwanda: Co-operative Agricultural Growth project aims to increase food security among vulnerable rural populations in seven districts of Rwanda (Nyanza, Gisagara, Nyamagabe, Ruhango, Muhanga, Kamonyi and Bugesera) and will directly benefit more than 22,000 households and indirectly benefit 132,000 individuals. Building on the success of a three-year pilot project that engaged Rwandan agricultural co-operatives, this project will improve the agricultural production, productivity and marketing capacity of 15 co-operatives and their members. This will be achieved by supporting small-scale rural farmers, organized in co-operatives to improve the quality and quantity of the food they produce, increase their household incomes, and enhance their households’ and communities’ resilience. (Up to $ 3,403,000 over 5 years)

Country: Ethiopia

CHF and its local partner the Organization for Rehabilitation and Development in Amhara (ORDA), will support 36,000 poor farmers, male and female producers, small entrepreneurs and their families by increasing agricultural productivity, income sources and levels, and local capacity to support development initiatives. They will do this by building sustainable livelihoods, supporting equal participation of women in decision-making and reducing inequalities in access to development resources and benefits. The project focuses on increasing food security through food aid, nutrition and agriculture. (Up to $ 5,700,000 over 5 years)

Canadian Red Cross Society

Countries: Kenya and Liberia

The Canadian Red Cross and its partners in Kenya and Liberia will work with the Ministries of Health (MoH) in those countries to deliver a program in Integrated Community Case Management. It is one of the key platforms for improving the health of pregnant women, newborns and children in 44 hard-to-access rural communities. It is estimated that there will be 66,000 beneficiaries, including 12,000 children under five years old and 26,000 women of childbearing age in West Pokot District in Kenya and Bomi, Gbarpolu and Grand Gedeh Counties in Liberia. The Community Health Committees will select MoH-supervised Community Health Workers/Volunteers, who will be trained in community based health and first aid in order to treat and refer sick children, to ensure community-level access to life-saving medications and basic health services. (Up to $ 4,120,000 over 2 years)