In the Sahel, famine could hit 23 million additional people, according to IFRC
The food crisis in the Sahel and West Africa, could extend to 23 million more people without immediate help, warned the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC ) on Tuesday, AP reports.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/In-the-Sahel-fa...
Currently, 10 to 14 million people lack enough food in the Sahel region due in particular to lack of rainfall, the humanitarian organization said.
In Chad and Mauritania, the harvest provides only half the food, said Momodou Lamin Fye, regional representative for IFRC Sahel at a press conference in Geneva .
According to the spokesman for the UN, Corinne Momal-Vanian, said at a press conference in Geneva that international agencies have collected $135 of the $720 million dollars (102 to 547 million euros) in aid deemed necessary for the Sahel in 2012.
The Red Cross in January commented that low and erratic rainfall and insect infestations have led to poor harvests and lack of pasture in parts of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Communities are also dealing with high food prices and reduced cash flow from migrant workers sending money back to their families from Libya and the Ivory Coast.
In Mauritania, where assessments have already been completed, the Red Cross plans to help over 10,000 households for the next year. The programme will include: emergency relief distributions; water and sanitation; and activities to reduce future risks, through more resilient livelihoods.
During recent assessments in Mauritania, the Red Cross found the lack of rain had seriously affected people’s ability to grow crops. As a result, in rural villages, such as Tchout, all the men and some women have moved to towns in search of work. children are increasingly malnourished.
In Chad and Mauritania, the harvest provides only half the food, said Momodou Lamin Fye, regional representative for IFRC Sahel at a press conference in Geneva .
According to the spokesman for the UN, Corinne Momal-Vanian, said at a press conference in Geneva that international agencies have collected $135 of the $720 million dollars (102 to 547 million euros) in aid deemed necessary for the Sahel in 2012.
The Red Cross in January commented that low and erratic rainfall and insect infestations have led to poor harvests and lack of pasture in parts of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Communities are also dealing with high food prices and reduced cash flow from migrant workers sending money back to their families from Libya and the Ivory Coast.
In Mauritania, where assessments have already been completed, the Red Cross plans to help over 10,000 households for the next year. The programme will include: emergency relief distributions; water and sanitation; and activities to reduce future risks, through more resilient livelihoods.
During recent assessments in Mauritania, the Red Cross found the lack of rain had seriously affected people’s ability to grow crops. As a result, in rural villages, such as Tchout, all the men and some women have moved to towns in search of work. children are increasingly malnourished.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/In-the-Sahel-fa...