January 19, 2012: Millions of families, especially children, are at risk of severe malnutrition from a looming food crisis that is expected to hit Western Africa’s Sahel region as early as February.

Sparse rain, meager harvests, and swelling food prices—up by 40 percent in some places--are already affecting some 6 million people in Niger and almost three million in Mali. Another factor is the lower-than-usual remittances from family members working in other parts of Africa such as the Ivory Coast, where unrest has interrupted migrant worker jobs.

During food crises, children under five are most vulnerable to malnutrition and the diseases associated with it such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, and measles. In Burkina Faso, one child out of 6 dies before reaching his or her fifth birthday; in Mali the figure is one out of 5. In the West-Central area of Africa likely to suffer, one million children will be at risk.

Families in some of the countries affected have barely recovered from the previous food shortages of 2005 and 2010. 

Access to food will be particularly difficult in eastern Mali, along its border with Niger; in northern Burkina Faso; and in the eastern and northern parts of Senegal. SOS Children's Villages and SOS family strengthening programs exist in all of these areas. To help save lives, SOS is springing into action by expanding its programs in the region.

SOS Preparing Early for Upcoming Food Shortages

Some 4,000 children at risk of the coming famine in Western Africa are currently supported by SOS Children's Villages either within the Villages or through SOS Family Strengthening Programs.  Anticipating the crisis, SOS has increased by 30 percent the number of families for whom it provides food and other subsidies. The expansion will benefit an additional 700 boys and girls.

To prepare for the coming food shortages, through its family strengthening programs SOS is distributing monthly packages of rice, oil, and milk. Also, SOS staff are carrying out food awareness campaigns aimed at mothers in Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso to underscore how important nutrition is to young children, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

To prevent malnutrition, SOS is implementing weighing sessions and offering life-saving treatment for malnourished children. To target children at most risk, in Senegal and Mali SOS is working with local communities to create health committees whose members are familiar with the situation for individual households.  

Help SOS Fight Food Insecurity by Strengthening Villages

You can help SOS provide a loving home for a child in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, or Senegal. Sponsor a child or make a one-time donation to support SOS programs worldwide.