TO DONATE TO THE WEST AFRICA FOOD CRISIS VIA CARITAS AUSTRALIA, CLICK HERE
In the midst of the lean season, millions of people across the Sahel, West Africa are now living through what is known as “the hunger period”. More than 18 million peopleare affected by the devastating food and nutrition crisis.
1 million children under five are at risk of dying from severe acute malnutrition and require immediate relief. An additional 3 million children are at risk of moderate acute malnutrition.
Poor water resources, rising food prices and empty food stores mean many are eating just one meal a day. According to forecasts, the crisis will be acute until September 2012 in Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, northern Nigeria and northern Cameroon. But, there is no certainty how long this will last! Stories from the ground show the difficult circumstances leading many to rely on humanitarian aid.
To watch a video of the West Africa food crisis, click here