Helping Those Who Need it Most:
Sabrina Dhowre Elba’s Work With IFAD
Sabrina Dhowre Elba, a Somali-Canadian with deep-rooted values of giving back instilled by her upbringing, has emerged as a prominent figure in championing the cause of rural communities in Africa.
Partnering with the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) as a Goodwill Ambassador alongside her husband, actor Idris
Elba, in 2020, she has embarked on a journey driven by her mother's teachings
on the significance of supporting African communities, particularly in rural
areas.
IFAD, an esteemed international financial institution under the United Nations, focuses on empowering rural populations to enhance food security, nutrition, and income levels. Dhowre Elba's dedication to this cause has seen her actively advocating for rural women and girls, emphasizing their pivotal role in the global food system.
From Sierra Leone to Kenya, Zambia to Egypt, she has traversed the continent to shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by farmers and to amplify their voices on a global platform. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, Dhowre Elba's work gains even greater significance as she highlights the disproportionate impact on African rural communities.
Amidst these crises, she underscores the urgency of supporting farmers, particularly small-scale ones, who are the backbone of food production in developing countries.
Her efforts have yielded tangible
results, as evidenced by IFAD's successful campaign urging countries to invest
in farmers during its 12th Replenishment. Building on this momentum, Dhowre
Elba continues to drive forward IFAD's agenda, advocating for increased
investments in small-scale farmers in developing nations during the 13th
Replenishment.
Not content with mere advocacy,
Dhowre Elba actively engages with policymakers and world leaders, leveraging
platforms like the United Nations General Assembly and meetings hosted by
global figures such as President Macron of France to garner support and
resources for rural communities.
As she tirelessly works towards
fostering positive change, Dhowre Elba exemplifies a beacon of hope for farmers
across Africa. Her journey with IFAD epitomizes a commitment to cultivating
change and nurturing sustainable development for the most vulnerable
populations on the continent.
