Emergency response to assist almost one million people with food, water, and livelihood support in Chad, Mali and Niger

Niamey, Niger (April 16, 2012) – A food crisis threatening people of the Sahel region of West Africa can still be avoided, but the international community must act now, says CARE International, one of the world’s leading aid agencies.
CARE is launching an appeal for the Sahel region, asking for 33 million U.S. dollars to assist almost one million people at risk in Chad, Mali and Niger. CARE plans to support 946,322 people, 500,000 of which will receive emergency assistance in the following months.

In Chad, Mali, and Niger, CARE is providing access to food, training nurses to identify and treat malnutrition, improving water and sanitation, and promoting hygiene. Following conflict in Mali, CARE is also assisting people displaced within the country and refugees who fled across the border into Niger with essential household items and hygiene supplies.
Almost 11 million people are food insecure in Chad, Mali, and Niger, including 1,858,300 people at risk of acute and severe malnutrition. Across the region, one million children are facing severe malnutrition.

Severe drought and pests caused this year’s crop failure and triggered soaring food prices. In addition, conflict in neighboring countries disrupted trade and put a stop to crucial remittances from migrant workers. As a consequence, food is available in the local markets, but most people cannot afford it.

Families have told CARE that they will not have enough food stocks or resources to get them through to the next harvest, which is usually around October.

“People are in critical need of assistance to endure the tough months leading to the next harvest; it is a humanitarian imperative to help them now to avoid a more severe situation in the future,” said CARE International’s Humanitarian Director, Barbara Jackson.

“We know what to do to tackle the looming food crisis, and also to shield people from the impact of future crises, but we urgently need funds now to carry out our emergency response,” stated Jackson.

“CARE is also putting in place long-term solutions so people in the Sahel region are less vulnerable to recurring crises,” explained Jackson. CARE has worked in Chad, Mali, and Niger for almost forty years, where it has successfully created and promoted women-led saving groups and cereal banks. In parallel to the emergency response, CARE is continuing its long-term development projects, which make people better equipped to handle future crises on their own.

Read our latest press release on Niger and our web update from Mali.

Media contact:
Rodrigo Ordóñez, Regional Communications Coordinator (in Niger)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , +227 9088 8933

About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve education, health and economic opportunity.