Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - The United Nations World Food Programme WFP has warned that Mauritania is experiencing a serious food shortage, food prices are rocketing and the situation could turn to famine by next winter. To meet basic food needs WFP is distributing food for 16,000 children at 260 feeding centres in various parts of the country. Unless more funds arrive for the programme in this country, one of the world’s poorest, WFP will have to start reducing aid from August. WFP operations in Mauritania aim to feed 382,400 people in 2006.
In the past decade Mauritania suffered various natural catastrophes, floods, drought, infestation of locusts which left the people in total indigence. In some parts of the country the malnutrition rate is close to the internationally recognised emergency line and another difficult season would only worsen the situation.
If the distribution of cereals, the people’s basic food, is reduced, about 350,000 people would have their rations cut by 50%. Food prices have risen, in some areas more than 22% and many communities have accumulated debts. To guarantee food for all the children in the country 260 feeding centres have been opened. (AP) (20/6/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:25; Parole:266)
