Fighting famine in southern madagscar

A unique combination of factors has plunged southern Madagascar into a terrible crisis. The region is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years; sandstorms caused by deforestation and an outbreak of migratory locusts have caused an almost total disappearance of food sources, leaving many facing severe hunger.

Seven of the eight communes in the Grand Sud are in a state of emergency. According to recent figures released by Madagascar’s nutrition surveillance system, UN agencies and similar organisations operating in the region, at least 1.14 million people need immediate food and nutrition assistance, and 74,000 children are acutely malnourished, 12,000 of whom have severe malnutrition – an increase of 80% compared to the last quarter of 2020.

Medair is providing emergency relief to the population of Marolinta Municipality, a very remote area in the Beloha District, one of the worst affected. 

The assistance includes the provision of lifesaving treatments, and vaccination screenings for children under-5, though mobile clinics and home visits; and the triage and outpatient consultation for communicable diseases, including COVID-19.