In West Africa, around 15 million people are now caught up in a growing food crisis.
A combination of low rainfalls, rising food prices and declining food stocks is affecting the region. The situation is only predicted to worsen over the next six months.
Soon, many children and families will have to go without.
World Vision works in five of the West African countries affected by the food crisis: Niger, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and Chad. Niger is the most affected country, with 5.5 million people facing food shortages due to a failed harvest season.
World Vision has partnered with the United Nations’ World Food Programme to provide food to struggling communities.
World Vision’s
Child Health Now advocacy campaign is also calling on global governments to urgently fund nutritional programs for the most vulnerable: pregnant women and infants under two years of age.
We need your help now to assist desperate families. Donate today and help us:
- treat malnourished children;
- provide health support for children under five;
- establish food-for-work programs;
- replenish village granaries (millet and Maize storehouses); and
- assist communities to drill boreholes and plant vegetable gardens.
Escalating food prices mean the food crisis is not only about food availability but also about food affordability for the poorest families. Many have exhausted their finances and are now surviving on wild leaves and animal feed.
We need your help now to help save precious lives.
Last year, lack of early global media support and public awareness meant hundreds of thousands of lives were needlessly lost in the East Africa crisis (which reached famine in some areas).
We now have the chance to make a difference for children and families living in West Africa. “West Africa is a clear cut case of where aid will save lives” says World Vision chief executive Tim Costello.
Help us act now, please give to the West Africa Food Crisis Appeal today.