The system was established in the hands of the beneficiaries and observed by the local authorities. The “Community Drought Dialogue Platform” under the MIF system kept alive the CBDRM activities. The project phased out in September 2009, but the mechanisms continue to support the running of activities as ‘an on-going process’
Local resources were the key foundation for all forms of drought risk reduction and livelihoods related activities. For example, having safe sanitation required the household to dig the latrine hole and fencing at their own expense, while the project provided cement at a cost, The “Annual Climate Adapted Farming Calendar” supported by Department of Agriculture was one of the key livelihood-related activities as it demonstrated what, when and how to be planting, composting, avoiding chemical fertiliser, livestock-raising etc.
MIF Capital increased nearly 300% since it launched in 2007-2008, serving as the powerhouse of resilience-building through CBDRM processes.
The Community Drought Dialogue Platform mobilised people through monthly meetings, consulting on risk, challenges, progress and ways forward for the community drought resilience processes.
The MIF (Micro Insurance Facility) serves as the motivational source for the community members where women, men, elderly people, people with disabilities, divorced, women-headed households, etc. had equal access to financial and technical resources for addressing any form of risk.
There were more than 2-3 alternative sources of income – home gardening, chicken raising, pig raising, duck raising, household shops, selling breakfast etc. provided them with regular income and reduced dependency on agriculture and drought risk prone livelihood activities.
Youth groups used to buy eggs, chickens, pigs and vegetables from households, etc. and brought them to sell in the Battambang provincial markets. Because of these alternative sources of income for youth, the temporary migration reduced.
The MIF supported women to borrow money from the MIF and men to support them. As a result the voices of women at household and community levels were strongly established as the key decision-makers. Men can just simply use the money for alcohol or karaoke or any other activities out of the MIF guidance of where, when and how the MIF fund can be used.
The Annual Climate Adapted Farming Calendar, developed by the Department of Agriculture in consultation with Water Resources and Meteorology and Women’s Affairs and Planning, contributed a vivid coordination mechanism for their successful project.
There was a time that the local authority drove the community. But as the community people are fully organised, meet once a month, know each other, and are partners of success and challenges, the local authority is no longer in a position to drive decisions; instead, the community decides together who should be supported as the members of one community. Local authority also become more humble and supportive to the community. That serves the key to success of the CBDRM.
The project phased out in 2009, but activities continue to date.