ACORD

Pastoralists and agro pastoralists in the semi-arid areas in Sahel, have consistenly been marginalised in sub-regional and national policy frameworks, that tend to favour the sedentary communities. There is an evident lack of investment in basic services adapted to the pastoralist, nomadic way of living. Their movement across countries threatens their recognition as citizens with rights to public services. Food security is a serious problem in the semi arid areas in Mauritania, Northern Mali and Burkina Faso, which suffers from chronic deficits in food production. The competition over increasingly scarce water and land resources has led to more frequent local conflicts. The large number of small arms in the region further fuel banditry and killings. Culturally, the society is male dominated with huge gender inequalities and disparities. On the positive side, an active and dynamic civil society is emerging in the region and under the new decentralized frameworks civil society becomes instrumental in influencing policies.

ACORD's work is focused in the semi-arid pastoralist area of Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Mali. In Guinea Conakry, ACORD has particularly worked with refugees from Liberia.

Overall Objective

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Thematic Focus

Decentralization and Governance: Strengthening the decentralization process to make it work for the most marginalized; supporting local government process of planning, training of elected people on civic education etc. The program also provides support for institutional analysis and management.

HIV/AIDS: Core activities are research; advocacy, sensitization training and building alliances of CBOs to promote improved policies and access to treatment

Conflict: Emphasis is on decreasing the circulation of small arms. ACORD has carried out a study on peace culture, produced a disarmament guide, provided capacity building (training and sensitization) on conflict analysis and has created space for engagement on the issue through an international conference on conflict.

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Many advocacy activities have been organized together with CBOs around issues related to cotton and banana. ACORD is part of relevant campaigns at high level in the region, mainly on issue of GMOs, cotton campaign, and EPAs.