UNICEF: Climate change brings hardship to Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, 27 July 2009 As world attention shifts towards environmental issues, the effects of climate change are being felt on the island nation of Madagascar.

The dusty south of the country has always been dry, but biannual rains meant farmers could plant and harvest their crops usually sweet potatoes and maize twice a year. It was enough to see them and their families through the lean seasons.
But for the last two years those rains have failed, once mighty rivers have dried to a trickle and crops have died. People, especially children, have begun to starve.

UNICEF, in partnership with the World Food Programme and the Malagasy Ministry of Health, is attempting to alleviate the crisis. Through an early warning system and with the help of community volunteers who go door to door an estimated 80 per cent of malnourished children in the drought-affected regions have been reached.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/madagascar_50348.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Madagascar
• rain
• children
• climate
• change
• drought

[FundacionProAves]

It is a shame that there is no mention of the immediate reasons behind this tragic situation - that Madagascar has largely destroyed all of its forests, especially in key watersheds that would see communities through droughts. Sadly, the land is giving up and the consequences are felt by all.

[feveroo7]

Vidoe is very intersting and alarming at the same time. This can be one pre-sign of what the huminty is going to face and these local deseases won't stay at the community, esp in our days.

...however I don't think that most people realize this.

[KnightBiologist]

This is really happening. I can't believe we are still debating whether climate change is happening or whether it's anthropogenic or not. It is and it's up to us to do something about it.

Thank you for posting this! I'll pass it along as best I can.