MAIN ACTIVITIES
 

ACF has worked in Paraguay since 2007 implementing food security programs at national and local level, in order to boost the agricultural sector and enable the population to have access to enough food.
 

Food security

National level

• Strengthening capacities of public institutions and civil society organizations to manage activities contributing to the respect of the food right of vulnerable populations
• Promotion of the food right
• Development of methodologies and nutritional eating habits (training and orientation to good stocking practices, preparation and healthy food consummation)
• Promotion of a monitoring of food insecurity and nutritional condition in vulnerable populations, with the participation of public institutions, NGOs and social organizations
• Support to knowledge: Food Security and Nutrition Research Group

Local level

• Improvement of availability and access to nutritious food for rural families and indigenous
• Support and training of technicians of the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
• Advice and accompaniment of credit unions
• Promotion of food production with sustainable agricultural techniques and strengthening of agricultural organizations
• Support to indigenous families in order to diversify their crops through participatory processes of experimentation and culturally appropriate learning
• Support to local coordination offices in municipalities
• Improvement of access to safe water and basic sanitation for communities

HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT

Paraguay, like other countries in Latin America, faces the fact that the improvement of international economic indicators these last years has had little impact on the population livelihoods .

Paraguay is one of the Latin America’s countries with the lowest density of population. Its mineral resources are scarce and its economy is based on agriculture. The country knows an important corruption because of smuggling and organized crime, factors impeding the development of the population. Hunger and abundance are two extreme manifestations in this society, affected by profound economic inequalities.

The transformation of rural area is a great example to illustrate this contradictory trend. The dynamism of agricultural exports (especially soy) promoted the development of an advanced and extensive agriculture, which has replaced the traditional agriculture. Traditional farmers are characterized by a high poverty and important basic needs.

Lack of opportunities in rural area promotes the migration from rural population to outskirts of major cities in Paraguay (and even in foreign countries as Argentina and Spain). But these areas don’t guarantee them better conditions for human and familial development (not a lot of jobs, facilities and basic services deficient…).

Extreme inequality is one of the principal characteristic in Paraguay. Public politics of these last years failed to have an impact on reducing inequalities, which will permit to promote the development of the country.