HIAS, Oldest refugee resettlement organization, providing services to any refugees, asylum seekers and other forcibly displaced populations who are in need of assistance, through a range of education, protection, livelihoods and capacity building programs, targeting the most vulnerable.
Nominated for: Permagardening in Chad: Cultivating Refugees’ Self Reliance Permagardening methodology developed and tested by the TOPs program in dryland zones and Operational Performance {TOPS} under the purview of USAID/Food for Peace, is a solution to diversify nutrition and income sources for refugees. Permagardening uses a small-scale agricultural technique that maximizes soil fertility and water management using local resources. HIAS adapted the perma-garden methodology for the climate and demographic conditions in Chad using a phased approach that considers agricultural skills and capacities, as well as rainy seasons/agricultural cycles. The highly innovative and cost-effective initiative has helped refugees grow food year-round. The food can be used to meet household food needs as well as to sell for commerce in local camp markets, providing a safer source of income. The project has also provided beneficiaries with a more diverse diet.
