A survey run by UN agencies in Madagascar in early 2016 found that only less than 20% of the crops planted during the current season will be harvested. This is caused by poor rainy seasons over past years and an ongoing dry spell. In southern Madagascar, about 80% of the population (equaling over one million people) is food insecure. When there is nothing else to eat, both adults and children live on the cactus fruit.
The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) has funded UNICEF Madagascar with €1.5 million to be used to treat more than 15 000 severely malnourished children.
Find out more about EU humanitarian aid in Southern Africa bit.ly/1BeUxaK
Video by European Commission