Earthquakes, droughts, floods, tsunamis, crop failures, wars—these are the events that capture the eyes and hearts of many and move us to respond immediately from a position of compassion and caring.
First-response needs are often shelter, water, sanitation, medical care, and emergency food supplies. But what happens next, after the images of the crisis fade from public view? Typically, people are still left as victims of trauma, many with damaged homes, incomes, and lives. Food supplies are short and prices spike such that people cannot afford to eat.
Early recovery is the term used to describe efforts to move from immediate disaster relief into community self-reliance. The goal is to progress not only back to “normal life” but beyond to a state of greater resiliency to any future disasters.
SPI has provided seeds for post-disaster gardening efforts in many places, such as:
- Haiti, after the 2016 hurricane. Innovative gardening practices like bag and tire gardens help families grow food in regions where topsoil has been washed away.
- East African countries, in response to ongoing drought and displacement. Drought-resilient gardens can provide a new livelihood for people displaced by climate change and conflict.
- The Gambia, where gardens were combined with support for survivors of harmful practices. Gardens provide critical nutrition for recovering bodies.
- Guatemala, in response to generational violence and displacement. Traditional gardening practices can be disrupted or lost when a generation is targeted for violence. Quality vegetable seed and skills training helps reclaim and complement those practices.
Vegetable gardens give quicker food from a local source when main-crop harvests are lost to a disaster. When other types of aid are giving only starchy foods to fill bellies, vegetables give needed micronutrients. When men are displaced or distracted by crisis, vegetable gardens may grow in importance as a food source – they are traditionally grown in small plots close to the home, easily accessible by women while completing other tasks.
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