This project will improve animal health and nature conservation in Rharous, Banikane, Hamzacoma and Serere in the Circle of Gourma Rharous. Islamic Relief Worldwide (IR) will also provide livelihoods training and support in these areas.  

The northern Timbuktu region of Mali is home to many pastoralist communities. These nomadic herdsmen raise animals and grow basic crops to make a living. Around 90% of Gourma Rharous’ population depend on livestock for survival, but opportunities for generating long-term income from livestock have not been fully explored. As a result, there is a shortage of fresh milk and dairy products in many areas of Timbuktu.

Desertification has seriously affected vegetation in Timbuktu, forcing villagers to exploit already scarce resources in order to make a living. One of the most serious effects of desertification in Gourma Rharous is the diminishing numbers of doum trees. People depend on these palm trees for survival because its leaves, trunk and fruit can be used to make a living.

Project Objectives

• To generate incomes using the full potential of livestock and forests;
• To improve management skills and build capacity of local population by providing livelihoods training and support;

Project Activities

• Strengthening local organisations and women’s associations;
• Constructing wells and latrines;
• Holding workshops for doum mat weaving;
• Improving the way that cow’s milk is managed;
• Giving small interest-free business loans;
• Setting up two market-gardening plots, so villagers can grow high-value crops to sell;

"Islamic Relief is striving for a fairer world. Our mission is to help the poor and needy to live sustainable, self-reliant lives within safe and caring communities. Our work is guided and shaped by the core values of accountability, humanitarianism, neutrality and impartiality, inclusiveness, integrity and co-operation, all of which are also integral to the Islamic faith."
Dr Hany El Banna - Founder of Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief was established in 1984 and our unique approach is the result of these many years of hands-on experience.

1. Where possible we adopt a community partnership-based approach; encouraging community involvement, understanding and ownership of projects.
2. We run the majority of our field projects ourselves, giving us direct insight into the problems faced and how best to solve them.
3. We aim to empower those we help in order to achieve sustainable results.
4. Though our emergency response teams are quick to respond to emergencies around the world, we continue to support communities long after the initial media interest has died down.
5. We recruit staff locally to benefit from their local knowledge. This ensures that we are culturally sensitive and allows us to reach communities and areas other organisations cannot.
6. Where necessary we coordinate our work with other reputable aid agencies, local organisations and governments.

Millennium Development Goals

Islamic Relief is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which have been agreed by the world’s leading development institutions in an effort to meet the needs of the world’s poorest by the year 2015. 

The goals:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

For more information about the MDGs, please visit: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/