Founded in 1976 to combat drought and provide access to drinking water in sub-Saharan Africa, SOS Sahel is now an international NGO recognized for its work in food and nutrition security, and sustainable development.
In particular, the association supports rural communities in the arid and semi-arid zones of 11 Sahelian countries, by developing local know-how and promoting crops adapted to the region’s difficult climatic conditions. Under the impetus of figures such as chef Pierre Thiam, ambassador for SOS Sahel, fonio, a drought-resistant cereal that is easy to grow, has been brought back into fashion. The organization supplies seeds, equipment and training to fonio producers, helping to strengthen food sovereignty in Africa. It is also helping to structure the processing and marketing chain for this cereal, providing a stable source of income for farmers.
In addition to agricultural production, SOS Sahel is involved in many other areas: health, education, the environment, capacity-building for local players, etc. The aim is to enable Sahelian communities to take charge of their own development and adapt to climate change.
