Washington, DC
December 26, 2006
In response to significant crop
failure caused by lack of rains in Madagascar in early 2006, the
U.S. Government, through the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), is sending
over four million pounds of sorghum (a cereal grain) to the
affected regions of the country. In addition, USAID is providing
$50,000 for the purchase and distribution of maize seeds for a
more long term approach to the situation.
Intended for immediate relief, the
sorghum is scheduled to arrive in Mozambique this week and then
bagged and containerized before being sent to Madagascar. As
part of a rehabilitation benefit, the maize seeds will allow
farmers to plant crops in time for the upcoming season in
January, 2007.
Shortened rains in January and
inconsistent rainfall in September resulted in successive poor
harvests and have affected the access of food for approximately
300,000 people in southern Madagascar. According to a USAID
assessment team on the ground, some households have exhausted
alternative means of securing income and food.
On December 18, U.S. Ambassador to
Madagascar James D. McGee declared a disaster due to localized
food insecurity in the southern part of the country.
USAID will continue to monitor the
situation and provide updates as necessary.
For more information about our
emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit:
http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/ |