100,000 people in southern Madagascar to benefit from new US government aid

Over the past eight years, a series of droughts have devastated southern Madagascar, and this year the situation is particularly dire. Many people struggle daily to find enough food to eat. Farmers are experiencing sandstorms instead of torrential rains and the outlook for the current harvest is not optimistic.

This is why, barely a month after the announcement of a commitment of 40 million dollars in emergency aid for the south and seven months after the launch of three new emergency and development programs of a Total value of $ 100 million in the region, the US government announces even more desperately needed food, health and agricultural assistance for southern Madagascar.

“Today we are announcing an additional $ 7.5 million to feed people, treat malnourished children and pregnant women and try to get farmers back on their feet,” John Dunlop, mission director for United States Agency for International Development (YOU SAID), noted.

“Our projects will provide food, clean water and healthcare to 46,000 people. We will treat 13,000 malnourished children. And 41,000 farmers will get seeds and other support, with the hope that the next harvest season will be better ”, YOU SAID Added Dunlop Mission Director.

The money announced today will fund the activities of the Adventist Relief and Development Agency (ADRA) in the hard-hit region of Ampanihy and Action Contre la Faim (ACF) in the Atsimo Andrefana, Androy and Anosy regions.

“The sad reality of the situation is that the crisis is worsening and continues to attract more and more families,” said Interim US Chargé d’Affaires Amy J. Hyatt. “This is why we are taking action again to provide more help. The United States will continue to stand with the government and people of Madagascar in responding to this crisis, in trying to prevent famine and famine, in helping those in desperate need. “

Projects funded by the US government feed 683,000 people, improve access to water for 50,000 people, and prevent and treat malnutrition in 159,000 children and pregnant women. This assistance will continue until the end of September.

From October 2021 to March 2020, YOU SAID food aid, funded by the $ 40 million announcement in June and the $ 7.5 million announcement today, will be provided to 489,000 people, and prevention and treatment activities for malnutrition will help 357,600 children, pregnant women and new mothers.

The two new five-year development projects announced in December, designed to introduce long-term solutions that prevent and reduce acute food insecurity among some of the most vulnerable people, have started operations in the regions of Atsimo Andrefana, Androy, Vatovavy-Fitovinany, and Atsimo Atsinanana.

“Unfortunately, not all the money we have spent on this emergency is enough to feed and care for all who need it. This is why we keep seeing reports of people eating leaves or locusts ”, YOU SAID said Mission Director Dunlop. “We must do more. Some donors have recently announced contributions. This is very welcome, but even more help is needed to meet the enormous need that exists.

More than 1.1 million people currently face high levels of food insecurity and this number is expected to increase. At least 14,000 people are already on the brink of famine, the coming harvests are expected to be very poor and access to food will likely deteriorate by 2022.

The US government continues to stand with the government and people of Madagascar as “mpirahalahy mianala” in responding to this crisis, in trying to prevent famine and famine, and to help those in desperate need.

Last year, YOU SAID aid to Madagascar totaled $ 133.5 million. That amount included $ 74.5 million in activities for the health sector, where the United States is the single largest donor to a single country, and $ 48.5 million for food security. Since 2015, the US government through YOU SAID has been the main provider of aid to the south, committing more than $ 236 million to address the urgent needs of hungry families and provide long-term solutions to food insecurity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the United States Agency for International Development (YOU SAID).