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

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Blip | July 30, 2009

Tags:. .effects. .community. .children. .malnourished. .antananarivo