Famine Crisis Warning for West African Sahel Region
Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:08 GMT
Warnings of a crisis are growing in some parts of the Sahel region of Africa. Threats are serious. SOS Children's Villages is vigilant as the population is predicted to suffer from food stress as early as February 2012 with the crisis expected to start in March and April 2012.
Early warning systems indicate famine is imminent in parts of Mali, northern Burkina Faso and parts of Senegal. Erratic rains in the region have led to poor harvests. As a result, food reserves are reaching critically low levels across the Sahel. SOS Children's Villages, the world's largest non-governmental organization caring for orphaned and abandoned children, is active in these countries and is taking action to help more children and families at risk.
The recent conflict in Ivory Coast led to reduced trade which has also contributed to food inflation of up to 40 percent in some areas. Those with resources are stockpiling supplies of food following the news that that food aid will soon be required to prevent the deaths of children.
In Burkina Faso alone, malnutrition threatened 144,000 children in 2011 – a year that was considered relatively normal in terms of food production. Half of those affected were under 5 years old.
In the regions that are now under threat of famine in Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso, SOS Children's Villages currently provides support to 4,000 children through family strengthening programs across nine specific communities. A 30 percent increase during 2012 will provide an additional 700 children with a better start in life.
Many children in affected communities attend SOS Children's Villages' Hermann Gmeiner Schools where they are guaranteed to be fed. As some must undertake a one hour walk to and from school, good nutrition is vitally important. The Sahel Region is a place where access to rice, vegetable oil and a protein source can mean the difference between life and death for children.
Leave a comment:
IMPORTANT: Your comment will not appear immediately as we vet all messages before publication. We don't publish comments that are racist or otherwise offensive. Nor do we publish comments that advertise products or services. Please keep your comment concise and do not write in capitals.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment