The passage of tropical cyclone Kenneth from April 23 to 24, 2019 left its mark on the minds of the Comorian populations by taking away houses, but also a large part of agricultural crops. Farmers in the intervention villages of Dahari in Anjouan and in Grande-Comore did not escape this disaster, between 50 to 90% of the banana tree trunks were destroyed in certain places. The case of Mohamed, a member of the Ujamaa cooperative in Sérehini, partner of Dahari, is notable. Ten days earlier, Mohamed, very joyful, presented the three rows of banana trees planted around his plot using the agro-ecological planting technology taught by Dahari as one of the results of his exchange visit to Anjouan. There were more than 63 bunches of bananas of improved (FHIA) and local varieties that were not yet mature. After the cyclone Mohamed lost everything, Kenneth damaged everything! Thousands of similar examples can be counted in Anjouan.

Following this disaster, Dahari launched an aid program for victims on the island of Anjouan. The NGO's first intervention was the organization of a grand bazaar in Mutsamudu on May 4, 2019 for the recovery and rapid sale of remaining produce to affected farmers to minimize the effects of the devastation. Furthermore, noting the risks of food insecurity for vulnerable farmers hit hard by this cyclone, the NGO urgently mounted an exceptional intervention to help 1500 to 2000 families. This project entitled “Relaunch of agricultural production in Anjouan after the passage of Cyclone Kenneth” is financed by the European Union and  Department of Réunion. The project is designed in collaboration with the regional committee of the Comorian Red Crescent in Anjouan through village committees, and with the participation of community leaders. The first phase of this project consisted of the emergency distribution of short-cycle crop seeds (petsai, peanuts, amberica, brede mafane, amaranth, carrots, corn, etc.), in the hope of seeing farmers resume their agricultural activities as quickly as possible and harvest after two to three months.

The seeds were distributed in July to 1844 vulnerable families identified in areas considered critical, accompanied by rapid training on cultivation. The most affected places of twenty-five villages most affected by the cyclone were targeted including Bimbini, Iméré, Vouani, Darsalama, Boungweni, Adda, Outsa, Ouzini, Chiwé, Mirontsy, Bazimini, Nyantranga, Koki, Pomoni, Lingoni, Nindri, Kowé, Moya, Chaweni, Mrémani, Nyamboimro, Kangani, Koni Djodjo, Koni Ngani and Jimilimé. In the field, the work was carried out by Dahari technicians, Comorian Red Crescent volunteers and community leaders who were subsequently trained in the Pagé demonstration center on planting and maintenance techniques. selected crops.

During the distribution of these seeds, which began on Wednesday July 17, 2019, the beneficiaries expressed their joy at seeing the birth of this initiative which will allow them to quickly relaunch their crops in order to avoid food insecurity. A second phase from November will target the relaunch of food crops on a larger scale.