2011
AMBATOVY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
39
Sustainable Livelihoods
Livelihood restoration was a priority focus in 2011.
Throughout the year, the resettlement villages produced a
range of products including rice, vegetables and perennial
crops. Agricultural technicians and resettlement team
workers provided the support through:
3
Provision of agricultural inputs, such as seeds, manure
or equipment
3
Training on livestock and farming techniques
3
Family compost development
Rice production showed encouraging results in 2011.
Farmers increased their average yields to 3.6 tonnes per
hectare, an increase of almost 10% compared to 2010.
In addition to agricultural support, Ambatovy provided
support to the resettled communities by improving access
to markets. In 2011, 37 women were involved in microcredit
programs and total cumulative savings were nearly $1,100
by the end of 2011.
Health and Hygiene
In 2011, Ambatovy continued to support the community
health centre in Vohitrambato. The centre, which also serves
surrounding communities near Vohitrambato, conducted
over 3,300 consultations. For the second year in a row, the
Vohitrambato Health Centre was recognized as the best
performing private health care centre in the district.
In addition to treatment, Ambatovy is committed to offering
preventative care and training to help the villagers live
healthier lives. The health centre made particular efforts with
vulnerable people to promote:
3
Vaccination campaigns
3
Nutritional monitoring for children under five years old
3
Mother and child health awareness
3
Hygiene and hand-washing awareness sessions
3
Reproductive health education for adolescents
Ambatovy continued its health volunteer program in 2011
with 15 people trained and working to promote information
on issues such as child diseases, malaria and diarrhea
prevention. For the second year in a row, ODDIT operated
the WASH program (Water, Hygiene and Sanitation) in the
villages. This program trains villagers on hygiene principles
and practices.
Continual performance of sanitation infrastructure is a
critical component to ensuring the health and safety of
the village residents. One particular area of concern in
2011 was access to safe drinking water. Both communities
experienced problems with water quality coming from
boreholes. Short-term solutions were implemented in the
form of water purification materials distributed to households
in both villages. With each distribution, there was a major
education campaign conducted by Population Services
International (PSI). Natural water sources (streams and
rivers) were also improved. For a long-term solution, a water
access improvement study was completed and validated by
the villages. By the end of the year, we were assessing more
durable water solutions.
Social Performance
