West African Food Crisis

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(No Transcript)
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West African Food Crisis
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Whats happening?
West Africa is facing a humanitarian
disaster. Thats 9 nations, or more than 18
million men, women and children, who are at risk
of not having enough food.
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5 out of those 9 nations most affected have
declared a state of emergency and called on the
international community for help. They are in the
Sahel region.
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Where is the Sahel region?
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Number of people affected across the Sahel
Niger - 5.5 million (35 of population) Mali - 3
million (20 of population) Burkina Faso - 1.7
million (10 of population) Chad - 1.6 million
(14 of population) Source UNOCHA, 2012
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Why did it happen?
Severe drought Poor harvests Rising food prices
all these reasons caused the food crisis in
the Sahel, West Africa.
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But it is not just that simple...
This 2012 food crisis is particularly severe
because people in the region have not yet
recovered from food crises in 2005-06 and 2010.
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Also, ongoing fighting in Mali means that many
refugees are fleeing into neighbouring countries,
increasing pressure on already limited food
supplies.
http//worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/
http//worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/
http//worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/
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No one knows how long this will last! 
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Real people behind the statistics
What does it mean for them?
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Mintous story(Niger)
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There are some times when the children hold me
and say Grandma, we need to eat. I dont have
anything. Even when the rain starts falling, it
will take another three months before the
harvest. I have seven months in the darkness. I
am afraid of the future.
Mintou, carer of her five grandchildren
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Caritas is suppling food, water and seeds in
Niger to help people like Mintou and her five
grandchildren.
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Hamani and Ramatus story(Niger)

• The 2011 drought left Hamani and Ramatu with no
  produce and they were forced to sell their
  animals.

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We used to have goats and sheep. But this year
the situation is very difficult. I was really
unhappy to sell them all. Now I have no animals
left. I dont have anything left to sell.
Hamani
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Ramatu hopes to have enough food to support her
family. We have already had some support from
CADEV Caritas Niger. But now we are in a very
difficult situation where we need a lot of
support. We have trust in CADEV because we know
what CADEV says, they do.
Ramatu Harouna
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But life goes on and people continue to hope
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Caritas' response
Caritas has been working across the West African
region for many years. Caritas Australia has
already pledged 300,000 to programs in Mali,
Burkina Faso and Niger.
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Short-term response

• We are helping people's immediate needs by
• providing essential food and water
• treating people for malnutrition

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Long-term response

• For example, through
• training in agriculture
• preventing waterborne diseases and malaria
• future planning for flooding and droughts

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Before, during and after the headlines we are
committed to helping West African communities in
need.
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Through your support, we are doing a lot . All
Im asking is for you not to give up. I
really thank you and thank you. St
Augustine Health Centre Worker
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Walk the journey with us bring hope to West
Africa
Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in
the soul,And sings the tune without the
words,And never stops at all. Emily Dickinson
Hope is the Thing with Feathers
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Credits Slide 5 - http//www.esrl.noaa.gov/news/20
05/sahel/sahel_map.gif Slide 8 -
http//www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2008/04/14/svFOO
DPAGE1_wideweb__470x249,0.jpg Slide 9
- http//worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/ All other
images Nick Harrop/CAFOD (Caritas UK)
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The Catholic Agency for International Aid and
Development