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

IRW is working in partnership with three other international organisations on this project.

Project Background
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;

Beneficiaries
Over 1,000 people have benefited from this project since January 2004, including 826 women.