Small Islands Food and Water Project (SIFWaP)

About the Project

The Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu are among the smallest, most isolated, and most fragile of Small Islands Developing States. In recent decades, cheap non-nutritious imports, such as rice, noodles, bread, and sugar, have become readily available and slowly replaced traditional crops, which are more difficult to grow and cook. As a result, populations have become more reliant on these imports and traditional diets have changed, leading to severe deterioration in health and nutrition statuses. In particular, the prevalence of nutrition disorders is escalating, with high levels of stunting in children, overweight/obesity in adults, and non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and diabetes.

GAFSP will invest $12 million support a multi-country project to improve food, nutrition, and water security and enhance livelihood opportunities in the small island communities of these countries. SIFWaP seeks to improve food, nutrition, water security, and livelihood opportunities in small island communities by investing in community-, group-, and household-level projects. The project will sensitize communities to diagnose, prioritize, and implement activities that improve agricultural systems and ensure the production and availability of local, nutritious foods; mainstream climate change adaptation measures into agricultural production activities to increase climate resilience; and develop an enabling policy framework to address food, nutrition, and water security.