CLIMATE & HUNGER CRISIS IN Madagascar
Frequent climate extremes like cyclones and drought are driving hunger in southern Madagascar.
While WFP assistance helped avert a humanitarian catastrophe in drought-stricken southern Madagascar, hunger persists – driven by the combined effects of extreme climate, poor harvests, COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. Over one-third of the south’s population is living in a hunger crisis.
1.95M people in the south are living in a hunger crisis
90% of Madagascar’s original rainforests have been lost
WFP plans to reach 1M people by April 2023
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“WFP’s food is really lifesaving assistance as there is not much to eat in the region. We have cactus fruit for lunch and save the precious rice and split peas for dinner,” says Lignerene, a farmer and mother of 6 in the Ampanihy district.
Recurring drought and a weakened economy, worsened by the fallout of the COVID-19, are driving a severe food crisis in Madagascar. Families like Lignerene’s urgently need our help.
How We Are Saving Lives in Madagascar
WFP is on the ground across Madagascar, delivering food and creating programs to help people withstand an otherwise devastating cycle of floods, droughts, cyclones and instability.
FOOD & NUTRITION
For the last year, WFP has been reaching 700,000 people per month through general food distributions as well as supplementary nutrition products for women and children under the age of 5.
DISASTER PREP
Ahead of natural disasters, WFP prepositioned food for a faster response as needed. After the hit, WFP raced to reach people affected by cyclones through food and cash while providing logistics support.
SCHOOL MEALS
In the southern regions of Atsimo-Andrefana, Androy and Anosy, WFP is the largest provider of school meals. Across 11 school districts, 228,000 children in 760 schools receive WFP meals.
RESILIENCE
Helping small-scale farmers is sone of WFP’s key objectives in Madagascar. WFP connects farmers to markets and provides them with training and tools – all of which boosts their incomes and access to food.
Madagascar Report
It has been one year since the alarming report of severe hunger in southern Madagascar. The convergence of climate shocks, crop failures and the economic impact of COVID-19 drove the country’s hunger rates. At this critical moment, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) carried out lifesaving activities in Madagascar.
As you will read in this report, you will see how WFP’s efforts have made a difference in the lives of millions in Madagascar.
In the Grip of Drought & Famine
Extreme Weather
The island nation suffers more and more devastating climate events every year. By April 2021, 70 percent of the Grand Sud (south) region of Madagascar was impacted by drought which led to another failed harvest last year.
Photo: WFP/Tsiory Andriantsoarana
Disaster Prone
Madagascar is among the ten countries most vulnerable to disasters and is considered to be the most cyclone-exposed country in Africa. A quarter of the population lives in areas highly prone to cyclones, floods or drought.
Photo: WFP/Tsiory Andriantsoarana
Poverty
Despite vast natural resources, Malagasy incomes have stagnated - and poverty has risen - over the past few decades. COVID-19 has also exacerbated poverty levels by pushing the prices of staple foods up and cutting job opportunities.
Photo: WFP/Tsiory Ny Aina Andriantsoarana
Agriculture
The world’s fourth largest island, Madagascar boasts a unique ecosystem, with thousands of species of plants and animals found nowhere else. Farming, fishing and forestry form the backbone of the Malgasy economy. But most farmers rely on small, rain-fed parcels of land, and struggle to produce in the face of climate shocks, instability, and lack of access to equipment and land.
Photo: WFP/Giulio d'Adamo
You can help save lives by donating to send food to countries like Madagascar facing severe hunger crises.