West African Food Crisis
What’s happening?
West Africa is facing a humanitarian disaster.
That’s 9 nations, or more than 18 million men,
women and children, who are at risk of not
having enough food.
5 out of those 9 nations most affected have
declared a state of emergency and called
on the international community for help.
They are in the Sahel region.
Where is the Sahel region?
Number of people affected
across the Sahel
Niger - 5.5 million (35% of population)
Mali - 3 million (20% of population)
Burkina Faso - 1.7 million (10% of population)
Chad - 1.6 million (14% of population)
Source: UNOCHA, 2012
Why did it happen?
Severe drought
Poor harvests
Rising food prices
…all these reasons caused the food crisis
in the Sahel, West Africa.
But it is not just that simple...
This 2012 food crisis is particularly severe
because people in the region have not yet
recovered from food crises in 2005-06 and 2010.
Also, ongoing fighting in Mali means that many
refugees are fleeing into neighbouring countries,
increasing pressure on already limited food
supplies.
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No one knows how long this
will last!
Real people behind the statistics
What does it mean for them?
Mintou’s story
(Niger)
There are some times when the
children hold me and say ‘Grandma, we
need to eat.’ I don’t have anything.
Even when the rain starts falling, it will
take another three months before the
harvest. I have seven months in the
darkness. I am afraid of the future.
Mintou, carer of her five grandchildren
Caritas is suppling food, water and seeds in Niger to help
people like Mintou and her five grandchildren.
Hamani and Ramatu’s story
(Niger)
The 2011 drought left Hamani and
Ramatu with no produce and they were
forced to sell their animals.
We used to have goats and
sheep. But this year the
situation is very difficult.
I was really unhappy to sell
them all. Now I have no
animals left. I don’t have
anything left to sell.
Hamani
Ramatu hopes to have enough food to support her
family.
We have already had some support from CADEV
[Caritas Niger]. But now we are in a very difficult
situation where we need a lot of support. We have
trust in CADEV because we know what CADEV
says, they do.
Ramatu Harouna
But life goes on and people
continue to hope
Caritas' response:
Caritas has been working across the West
African region for many years.
Caritas Australia has already pledged
$300,000 to programs in Mali, Burkina Faso
and Niger.
Short-term response
We are helping people's immediate needs by:
• providing essential food and water
• treating people for malnutrition
Long-term response
For example, through:
• training in agriculture
• preventing waterborne diseases and
malaria
• future planning for flooding and droughts
Before, during and after the headlines we
are committed to helping West African
communities in need.
Through your support, we are doing a lot […]. All
I’m asking is for you not to give up. […] I really
thank you and thank you.
St Augustine Health Centre Worker
Walk the journey with us –
bring hope to West Africa
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the
words,
And never stops at all.
Emily Dickinson ‘Hope is the Thing
with Feathers’
Credits
Slide 5 http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/news/2005/sahel/sahel_map.
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Slide 8 http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2008/04/14/svFO
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Slide 9 http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/
All other images Nick Harrop/CAFOD (Caritas UK)
The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development