Contacts
Abdelkarim Sma
Regional Economist
Near East and North Africa Division, IFAD
Via Paolo di Dono, 44
00142 Rome, Italy
Tel.: +39 06 54592500
Fax: +39 06 545935009
Useful links
Near East and North Africa Division
IFAD
Via Paolo di Dono, 44
00142 Rome, Italy
Fax: +39 06 5043463
About IFAD
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a specialized agency of the United Nations, dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in developing countries. Its work in remote rural areas of the world helps countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
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Opening remarks by the Director of IFAD’s Near East, North Africa and Europe Division
As I reflect on the 16 months which have passed since I took on the role of Director of IFAD’s Near East, North Africa and Europe Division, I realize this has been a time of great change and renewal both within the division and in the countries we serve. Whilst there is still uncertainty about the outcomes of many events in the region, one thing I believe we can agree on is that we can no longer rely on old assumptions, or old ideas, to guide us through difficult times. Read more
Voices from the field: a community veterinarian in Yemen
When you arrive in Jahaf during late summer you forget travel fatigue and get taken by the beautiful landscape where the highest point in the southern hemisphere of Yemen turns into a green carpet ornamented with beautiful houses of the distinguished Yemeni architecture around agriculture terraces. Despite its relatively low level of rainfall, Jahaf is the main vegetables supplier to Al-Dhala town which is located at the foot of this high mountain. Read more
Voices from the field: a young beekeeping entrepreneur in Moldova
When Stefan Sandic finished his studies at the State Agrarian University of Moldova, he and his wife traveled to the UK on a summer program for students. “It was our first time in the UK and great opportunity to see and to learn on how UK farmers work,” said the native Moldovan. Then, unlike most young Moldovans, he and his wife returned to the family farm: They had scrimped and saved enough money to start their own business, back home.
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Initiatives: IFAD in Somalia (interview with Noel Harris)
On March 2013, IFAD launched a USD 1.5 million regional project to promote Diaspora investment in agriculture. The project will provide matching grants to members of the Diaspora investing in commercial projects that contribute to job creation, food security and increased incomes in Somalia and Djibouti in rural areas.
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Good practices: Women in Sudan
42 year-old Halima Agib lives in the remote Sudanese village of Demira, some 900 km from the capital, Khartoum. Demira’s climate is harsh, and in recent years, the area has been affected by drastically falling prices of gum, one of its natural products. As a result, farmers began cutting down the acacia trees that provide the gum, which is used in the food industry. Women, in particular, suffered: While harvesting gum is traditionally a man’s job, the drop in local incomes affected women disproportionately.
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Private sector partnerships in Egypt: West Noubaria Rural Development Project
The lion’s share of Egypt’s 8.8 million farmers are small farmers—some 6.6 million work on farms of just about two and a half acres. Improving the lives, and livelihoods, of these small farmers will go a long way toward improving development in Egypt: So goes the logic behind an IFAD project in West Noubaria, on the outskirts of the ancient city of Alexandria.
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Private sector partnerships in Armenia: Fund for Rural Economic Development
Pomegranate, peach, apple, apricot, sea buckthorn: In Armenia, freshly made juices are part of daily life. “I drink it everyday,” said Nerses Kyurinyan, Senior Investment Officer for the Fund for Rural Economic Development in Armenia (FREDA). “I love each of the Armenian juices. But sea buckthorn and apricot are my favorites.”
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Portfolio review
As of 30 June 2013, the NEN portfolio consisted of 46 projects in 20 member countries and one territory. Of these, 42 are on-going, 2 are not yet effective and 2 are not yet signed. The total IFAD financing commitment for the 46 projects is USD 813.04 million, accompanied by USD 377.1 million in co-financing and USD 517.5 million in domestic contributions.
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Read also
KM for greater impact: recent SROI event
Regional/global fora: Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference in Washington, DC
Personnel notes: featured staff, appointments and staff movements