EUROSAN: Food security, nutrition, and resilience in the Honduran dry corridor

Honduras is the country most affected by climate change in the world (Climate Risk Index). The country’s western region is so frequently affected by drought that locals call it the ‘dry corridor’ (‘corredor seco’). As a direct consequence, it is also the country’s poorest and most food insecure region.
In 2014, Honduras created the Dry Corridor Alliance (DCA), together with its development partners: they agreed to share knowledge, tools, and resources to strategically reduce poverty and food insecurity in the Honduran dry corridor.

Ever since, the EU works with Honduras to lay down the policy groundwork for a multi-sectoral approach and takes part in initiatives such as the EUROSAN project: a 6-year, mainly EU-funded project launched to empower local communities in western Honduras, by increasing their resilience to natural disasters.

Objective

The EUROSAN project supports 10 commonwealths (‘mancomunidades’) in western Honduras, with the aim to transform local communities into driving forces of their own development and food security.

The project is giving them the means to design, implement, and supervise their own development activities, and helping them become more resilient to natural hazards, through sustainable agriculture and nutritional education.

Results

The project is expected to have the following results:

• Sustainable farming methods and better water planning will increase the food security of 15,000 households in the Honduran dry corridor.

• An improved health system will enhance the region’s nutritional status.

• Institutions and individuals will build their capacity thanks to training - special attention will be given to indigenous and peasant leaders.

• The project will also support the development of national food welfare and nutrition policies.

Funding instrument

DCI - Food Security

Implementing organisations

Government of Honduras, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)