Problem

Natural disasters including hurricanes and earthquakes disrupt food supply chains. Food security is of particular concern on islands, where typically over 85% of the food is imported. Importation on this scale is reliant on and contributes to fossil fuel use, and contributes to insecurity of food availability. This results in financial resources leaving the islands, making their economies vulnerable and resource limited.

Solution

Direct relief efforts assist rebuilding efforts. Developing and implementing agricultural sustainability practices and increasing the availability of renewable energy for food refrigeration increases independent food security.

Implementation

In the wake of Hurricane Maria, Ridge to Reefs supported communities and supporting small farms with direct assistance. We helped to build rainwater harvesting and filtration systems, drip irrigation, off-grid refrigeration, and rebuilding processing and washing stations. We also directly provided 700 water filters, six chain saws, food, four satellite phones, water, and medicine. We also provided two large community-based drinking water systems that could produce 2500 gallons of potable water per day. These treatment systems pull water from streams and rivers, provisioning it for drinking in places where they are needed most.

Outcomes

Supporting communities, NGOs, and health centers with the ability to harvest rainwater increases the island’s capacity to provision drinking water for long-term water security and to support communities after future storms. Supporting farms and farm-to-table operations including Sana Farms in Cabo Rojo, Siembra Tres Vidas in Aibonito Siembra Vida in Rincon increases long-term food security. Siembra Viaa also operates a Farm-to-Table restaurant that helps train former drug addicts in farming and restaurant skills.