Reaching Drought Stricken Communities in Madagascar

UNICEF

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.

Check out this video to see how UNICEF did it: 

Other cool stuff on Celsias:

Shrinking Forests: The Many Costs
India and China: Standing At the Crossroads of the Climate Puzzle


Follow us on Twitter: Celsiastweets

Add a comment
  • to get your picture next to your comment (not a member yet?).
  • (hint: logged in Celsias members don't have to fill in this)
  • Posted on Aug. 4, 2009. Listed in:


    Pledge to do these related actions

    Cover your pots while cooking, 1300°

    Doing so can save a lot of the energy needed for preparing the dish. Even ...

    Use a motorbike or scooter to get around, 63°

    OK we all know that it would be ideal if we could all walk or ...

    Convert Diesel Garbage Trucks to CNG, LNG and Hydrogen Fuels, 11°

    In the United States approximately 175,000 refuse trucks operate and burn approximately 1.2 billion gallons ...

    Featured Companies & Orgs