Kitchen Gardens: COVID & Climate Resilience (Huairou Commission)

Huairou Commission supported 27 grassroots women's organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with Covid-19 grants to address food insecurity via kitchen gardens, identified through vulnerability mapping. Groups expanded or initiated gardens, growing vegetables for balanced diets rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, while incorporating ancestral medicinal plants between orchards. In Ecuador's Toacazo, OMICSE strengthened family gardens, partnering with church and government for inputs to sustain production. Eco-friendly methods preserved local/indigenous seeds, supported ecosystem services, and protected the environment. Benefits include livelihood diversification, income/food security, improved nutrition, and resilience to pandemics and climate change. Gardens align with UN SDGs by promoting local food production, recycling, greening, and resource reduction. Women's leadership enhanced household health at low cost, with practices like intercropping medicinals adding family health benefits. The initiative demonstrates scalable, community-driven models for dual crisis response, emphasizing sustainability, gender equity, and integration with local governance for ongoing viability.