The Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission conducted a four-day monitoring and evaluation mission to Togo from July 15th to 18th, 2024. The mission aimed to assess the impact of ECOWAS humanitarian response on communities affected by flooding and food insecurity, as part of efforts to strengthen the ECOWAS Humanitarian Response Mechanism (EHRM).
In April 2023, the ECOWAS Commission convened a consultative workshop in Lomé to evaluate proposals and budgets submitted by Member States for humanitarian assistance. The workshop resulted in allocating funds for communities affected by severe flooding and food insecurity in 2022. Consequently, Togo received $722,561 for flood assistance and $351,217 for food and nutrition support for community resilience building and recovery.
To implement these programs, the Togolese government identified the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) as a credible partner. The EHRM emphasizes Field Validation Missions (FVM) to affected communities in collaboration with government agencies and implementing partners.
The ECOWAS delegation, led by Director Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, held consultations with strategic partners, state actors, the World Food Program, and the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Togo. Dr. Tarfa-Ugbe stressed the need for effective collaboration to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all affected individuals and significantly impacts beneficiaries and communities.
During a preparatory meeting with Togo’s Civil Protection Agency, Deputy Director Mr. Wouro O. Salim outlined the itinerary and modalities for the field mission. He praised the ECOWAS Commission for its people-oriented programs that support member states in delivering good governance.
The field mission covered communities across central and northern Togo, including Anié, Sotouboua, Sokodé, and Kara. The delegation interacted with individuals and community leaders to gather firsthand accounts of how the assistance impacted their daily lives.
Dr. Tarfa-Ugbe reiterated the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to improving living standards and ensuring dignity for all citizens: “This mission will allow us to engage with partners, visit the field, interact with beneficiaries, and measure the impact of the assistance. We will witness firsthand how these projects have improved their lives, resilience, and recovery,” she said.
She commended the Togolese government, Civil Protection Agency, and ECOWAS national office for their achievements noting an 80% implementation rate with a few weeks remaining in the six-month project timeframe. So far approximately 2;717 households;and 14;000 individuals have benefited from ECOWAS humanitarian assistance in Togo.Dr.Tarfa- Ugbe highlighted need accountability stating “The funds are fromtheEC OW AScommunity fund,and weareall accountable tothecitizens.”Dr.Sintikialso commended selection processofbeneficiaries which cutacrossallgroups ,men,women,widows,youth,andpeoplelivingwithdisabilities
Communities celebrated life-changing humanitarian support from ECOWAS;with beneficiaries sharing heartfelt accounts how humanitarian support received profoundly impacted lives restoring faith humanity resilience while preserving dignity throughout recovery process.The support included essential food nutrition aid well provision tractors farm ploughing seeds fertilizers training new agricultural techniques technologies
Community leaders expressed deep gratitude toEC OW ASfortimely effectivehumanitarianresponse.Thisassistance expected significantly improve productivity enhancefoodsecurity region.The support enabled farmingcommunities cultivate more hectares land leading increased harvests allowing allocate resources other critical areas livelihoods
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