Video 1 - Integrated health center in Kofo, south Niger
Video 2 - Interview Mahamadou Abdou Garba (French) Director of the Integrated Health Center, Kofo, Niger
The food crisis in the Sahel is leading to increased humanitarian action by the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. In some parts of the Sahel region of Africa, the rains in 2011/12 have been below average. In Chad, for example, it has been as low as 50 per cent of normal levels. This, in tandem with insect infestations and, in some cases, political instability have led to a deepening food security crisis.
With malnutrition levels chronically high - in some cases above the 15 per cent emergency levels - the erratic rainfall, drought and damage to crops have taken vulnerable populations beyond their capacity to cope.
Rising food and fuel prices, decreasing incomes and migration are all adding to the problem, putting pressure on community reserves and pushing more people into poverty. In response, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a series of appeals and disaster relief emergency fund contributions.
For more information please visit: www.ifrc.org/sahel
For more information or interviews contact:
In Dakar:
• Moustapha Diallo, Communications Officer, West Africa, IFRC
Mobile: +221 774 501 004 moustapha.diallo@ifrc.org
In Addis Ababa:
• Faye Callaghan, Communications Manager, Africa, IFRC
Mobile: +251 930 033 413 faye.callaghan@ifrc.org
In Geneva:
• Jessica Sallabank, Senior Media Officer, IFRC
Mobile: +41 799 481 148 - E-mail: jessica.sallabank@ifrc.org