Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dakar (Fides Service) - Food supplies for families in the west African region of Sahel are running short. The situation is very concerning and the UN World Food Programme has launched a appeal to the international community to continue to support its programmes to mitigate the devastating effects of food shortage among the weaker sectors of the population. This year the “season of poverty” - after food runs out before the harvest- began earlier than usual in the poorest countries of the world. This is happening for the people of Sahel who, despite a good harvest in 2005, suffer a food crisis.
WFP programmes this year include a project to feed over 3 million people, half of them children, in Sahel countries Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, supplying supplementary food rations to feeding centres and also programmes of post-crisis food aid. The whole operation will cost a total 54 million dollars. So far the agency has received only 16.5 million dollars, or 30% of the amount necessary.
“Hunger and poverty continue to kill people in west Africa - said Mustapha Darboe, WFP west Africa regional director- for too long the situation has been considered normal and acceptable. It is not. In the 21st century people should not lack the minimum necessary to live”. Particularly concerning is the scarcity of funds for an operation to feed over 400,000 people in Mauritania. Of the 18 million dollars requested WFP so far has received only 920,000 dollars and there is a danger that by the beginning of June cereal in stock will be insufficient. Affected by decades of drought Mauritania also had to deal with the devastating effects of an invasion of locusts in 2004.
However the worst hit country is Niger. The WFP and Niger’s health ministry are working to replenish feeding centres with vitamin enriched food to fight malnutrition in children. In Mali, WFP will assist this year 740,000 people including 175 children under five. In Burkina Faso, WFP hopes to feed 43,000 children and 11,000 mothers to stop the alarming rate of malnutrition: 40% children under five are underweight, and extreme malnutrition affects 18.6% of the population. (R.F.) (Agenzia Fides 17/5/2006 - righe 33; parole 469)
