Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of ‘climate change famine’ By Reuters
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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO – Malagasy children enjoy a hot meal at Avotse’s feeding program, which provides warm meals for malnourished children in Maropia Nord village of the region Anosy in southern Madagascar on September 30, 2021. REUTERS/Joel Kouam
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Joel Kouam
AMBOASARY, Madagascar (Reuters). Occasionally, TsimamorekmAly eats only sugary water. A handful of rice is enough to make him happy. He often lives without rice because he has six children and his wife.
Aly, a southern Madagascar resident, has been hit by drought four times in a row. In the wake of a climate change famine, more than 1 million people in his Grand Sud area, which is two out five, require food aid.
In previous years, there had been a lot more rain. My sweet potato crops were a success and I was able to afford a large amount of cash. Aly, 44, said that she even got married due to her wealth.
Standing on an expanse ochre dirt, where only tall, spikey cacti can be seen, he stated, “Things are changing.”
The Indian Ocean Island is being ravaged by climate change. Several U.N. agencies warned that there will be a “climate-change famine” in these islands over the next few months.
Alice Rahmoun from the United Nations World Food Programme in Madagascar said, “The situation is in the south country of the country are really worrying.” “I visited many districts… and heard families tell me how changing climates have driven them to hunger.”
Rainfall patterns in Madagascar are growing more erratic – they’ve been below average for nearly six years, said researchers at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Rahmoun said that the last time there was any rain in certain villages was three years back, while others had eight years or 10 years before. “Fields are barren, the seeds don’t sprout and food is scarce.”
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, temperatures in south Africa are increasing at twice the rate of the rest of the world. According to the U.S. government, Cyclones are already stronger in Madagascar than other African countries and will continue to increase as the earth warms.
Famine and hunger have been an important cause in many countries, including Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. Madagascar, however, is peaceful.
While visiting areas most in need of assistance, President Andry Rajoelina stated that “climate change significantly impacts and accentuates the effects on the famine in Madagascar.” Climate change is making Madagascar a victim.
According to World Carbon Project estimates, less than 0.01% global carbon dioxide emissions are produced by the country.
According to the U.N. Children’s Fund, half a million children in Madagascar are likely to suffer from severe malnutrition, and 110,000 of them will die as a result.
French firm Nutriset which produces the emergency food Plumpy’Nut has opened its southern Madagascar plant. They plan to make 600 tonnes of Therapeutic Fortified Food, which is a combination of sugar, peanuts and milk for malnourished kids each year.
Some families who fled the most affected areas are also receiving parcels of land from the Malagasy government. 200 families were provided with land with goats and chickens. These animals are better at surviving drought than cows. Cassava is also recommended, as it’s more resilient to drought than maize.
Aly stated, “It is a natural catastrophe.” “May God bless us.”
Ayenat Mersie writes additional reporting; Katharine Horeld edits Susan Fenton.
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