Lilongwe, Malawi … A few years ago the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that even in a good year 40 to 50% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa goes hungry, and the region, “is worse off nutritionally today than it was 30 years ago.”
Since that report conditions in sub-Saharan Africa have grown progressively worse, and a recent article in the English newspaper, The Guardian, in May 2016, flashed this dire headline around the world: “Across Africa the Worst Food Crisis since 1985 looms for 50 Million People.” The lead paragraph zeroed in on the ever-increasing seriousness of the problem, while the rest of the world, by and large, ignores it.
“A second year without rain threatens to bring catastrophe for some of the poorest people in the world. Donor countries, in the grip of wars and refuge crises, have been slow to pledge funds. But by the time they do, it could be too late.”
Half the Total Population
The result of what is defined as “the strongest El Nino weather event since 1982” are droughts and heat waves that have ravished the southern hemisphere, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. As each day moves more and more into a time when food bins would still be adequate from the April harvests people are already going hungry because of last year’s shortage. What will it be like later this year? Estimates conclude that by November Malawi will be facing the need for food aid for 8 million people or half of its population. One can hardly imagine what that will be like. And just think, 40 to 50% of the people go hungry in a good year!
The Malawi Project is doing all that it can to maintain a constant flow of food over the next few months. Will you please help? You can contribute by check or on-line. Details can be found at: www.malawiproject.org/donate/