Bi-Weekly Press Briefing: Madagascar - Rural Transformation Initiative - WFP
/
2:58
/
MP4
/
217.9 MB

Edited News | WFP , WHO

Bi-Weekly Press Briefing: Madagascar Rapid Rural Transformation initiative – WFP

Madagascar: rapid transformation initiative for rural communities provides hope for future

An innovative pilot project seeking to develop climate resilience among vulnerable rural communities in southern Madagascar could be a template for future humanitarian work, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.

Focusing on remote Androy and Anosy regions, the Rapid Rural Transformation WFP and partners have established solar-powered hubs, water boreholes and internet connectivity. This has given communities essential services such as energy, water, and digital platforms, in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner, the UN agency explained.

The hub, which is managed by regional authorities, allows various partners to set up integrated community services such as training centers for women and youth on food production and business skills, as well as digital classrooms, while enhancing agricultural production through solar-powered drip irrigation and hydroponics.

“We are establishing solar-powered hubs that then provide a sustainable water source. To the site that I visited we were able to sink and drill boreholes nearby, we’ve introduced ICT (information and communications technology) in these remote areas, allowing for the provision of essential services be it energy, green energy, be it water, and digital platforms to members of the community,” said Tomson Phiri, WFP Regional Communications Lead and Spokesperson for Southern Africa.

“For me, these initiatives are a game changer," added Mr. Phiri, speaking from Antananarivo to journalists in Geneva, via Zoom. "It is the golden standard of assistance to such communities: we’ve brought connectivity, we are enhancing agricultural productivity, we are going to hone people business’ skills, we are giving opportunities to people, especially women and the youth so that they can start embarking on their own enterprises.”

Madagascar is among the 10 countries most vulnerable to disasters in the world and is considered the most cyclone-exposed country in Africa. The Androy and Anosy regions are at the sharp end of the climate crisis and have high rates of chronic malnutrition among children under five. The regions are adversely affected by extreme weather events such as cyclones, storms, and droughts.

The Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) initiative combines two climate risk mitigation strategies to assist the people: better natural resource management through enhanced agricultural techniques to assure ongoing food production and diversifying their livelihoods to withstand climate shocks.

Working with the government, the integrated services approach helps the WFP to stimulate grassroots development, while addressing rural communities’ most pressing needs. WFP's plan is to expand the initiative to other villages and regions.

“These hubs as well are providing digital classrooms for learners, I saw young people, we are nurturing dreams there, I met people, we are even sparking artisanal enterprises," said Mr. Phiri. "I saw a welder just starting to use solar energy for his own enterprise, saw a barbershop, I saw a community that is being brought together by technology.”

Approximately 2.2 million people in the southern and south-eastern regions of Madagascar are experiencing high levels of food insecurity (IPC 3 and 4 - Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) during the pre-harvest period until April 2023. WFP works with government and partners to build effective crisis response, social protection, malnutrition prevention and resilient livelihood systems through innovative actions and approaches in the south, where the population remains highly vulnerable.

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

Ends

STORY: Madagascar Rapid Rural Transformation initiative – WFP

TRT: 2’58


SOURCE: UNTV CH
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 20 January 2023
HYBRID PRESS BRIEFING
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND


SHOTLIST

Geneva and Antananarivo, Madagascar (via zoom) - Shot on 20.Jan.2023

  1. Exterior wide shot: UN flag alley UN Geneva.
  2. Cutaway: Wide shot, Press room, UN Geneva
  3. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Tomson Phiri, WFP Regional Communications Lead and Spokesperson for Southern Africa: “We are establishing solar-powered hubs that then provide a sustainable water source. To the site that I visited we were able to sink and drill boreholes nearby, we’ve introduced ICT (information and communications technology) in these remote areas, allowing for the provision of essential services be it energy, green energy, be it water, and digital platforms to members of the community.”
  4. Cutaway: close shot of journalists’ hands typing
  5. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Tomson Phiri, WFP Regional Communications Lead and Spokesperson for Southern Africa: “These hubs as well are providing digital classrooms for learners, I saw young people, we are nurturing dreams there, I met people, we are even sparking artisanal enterprises. I saw a welder just starting to use solar energy for his own enterprise, saw a barbershop, I saw a community that is being brought together by technology.”
  6. Cutaway: medium shot of TV screen in press conference room
  7. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Tomson Phiri, WFP Regional Communications Lead and Spokesperson for Southern Africa: “For me, these initiatives are a game changer. It is the golden standard of assistance to such communities: we’ve brought connectivity, we are enhancing agricultural productivity, we are going to hone people business’ skills, we are giving opportunities to people, especially women and the youth so that they can start embarking on their own enterprises.”
  8. Cutaway: medium shot journalists in the press conference room

B-Roll from WFP shot in Madagascar on 18th January 2023

Location: Anosy Region, Southern Madagascar

  1. (No Sound) Drone footage of solar-powered hub, which serves as the energy source for the Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) Initiative, a project set up by WFP and partners which supplies essential services such as energy, water, and digital platforms to members of the community, in an environmentally sustainable manner.

  1. (No Sound) Drone footage of agricultural production by use of solar-powered drip irrigation and hydroponics.

  1. GVs of people collecting water at the sustainable drinking water source.

  1. WFP delegation visiting solar-powered hub.

  1. GVs of students in the digital classrooms making use of solar-powered ICT services.

Similar Stories

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end”

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end” ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC ENG FRA

Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital 

UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti

2

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.

The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire

UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO ENG FRA

The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine ENG FRA

A UN Human Rights report released today details the dire situation of thousands of civilians detained since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine in 2022. 

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , UNICEF

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF ENG FRA

Sudan war: Life-saving cholera vaccination campaign begins in Darfur

Amid the devastating war in Sudan, UN aid teams are overcoming major obstacles to curb a cholera outbreak claiming lives across the country, with young children particularly at risk.

Afghanistan earthquake response – UN Women 19 September 2025

2

1

2

Edited News , B-roll | UN WOMEN

Afghanistan earthquake response – UN Women 19 September 2025 ENG FRA

Women and girls still reeling from Afghanistan's recent deadly earthquake face even greater suffering rebuilding their lives and livelihoods without much more help from the international community, UN Women said on Friday.

UN report: Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties - UN Human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and OHCHR Sudan Representative Li Fung

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN report: Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties - UN Human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and OHCHR Sudan Representative Li Fung ENG FRA

Rising civilian casualties, growing ethnic violence and the grim humanitarian situation in Sudan underscore how the crisis there is deepening, according to a UN Human rights report published today.

'Not a Target' UN Geneva Protest - 18 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNITED NATIONS

'Not a Target' UN Geneva Protest - 18 September 2025 ENG FRA

United Nations agencies staff demonstrates on Place des Nations in Geneva to denounce the killing of their colleagues in Gaza.

WMO - World Water Monitor 18 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

WMO - World Water Monitor 18 September 2025 ENG FRA

The world’s water resources face growing pressure from climate change while emergencies related to the vital resource are increasingly impacting lives and livelihoods, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk Remarks to HRC 60 Urgent debate ENG FRA

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addressed the Human Rights Council during a meeting on the Israeli strike on negotiators in Qatar on Tuesday. “Israel’s strike on negotiators in Doha on 9 September was a shocking breach of international law, an assault on regional peace and stability, and a blow against the integrity of mediation and negotiating processes around the world,” he said.