The UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) estimates that some 18 million people will face severe food insecurity over the next three months in the arid belt that stretches across Africa below the Sahara. Its $3.8 billion appeal for the region is less than 12% funded, said OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke.
“The situation has reached alarming levels in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger, where populations will experience emergency levels of food insecurity during the lean season between June and August,” he said. said during a press briefing, saying that food insecurity levels were the worst since 2014.
In Burkina Faso, rations are currently 75% in hard-to-reach and most food-insecure areas, and 50% in other locations, the World Food Program said.
Rations have already been halved for displaced people and refugees in Chad, he said. WFP will be forced to reduce them further from July if additional funds are not received.
In Mauritania, the food component of the cash ration is reduced by 50% at Mbera camp, says WFP.
The conflict between major grain producers Russia and Ukraine is one of the factors that have pushed up food prices in Africa. This crisis has also diverted aid to other regions.
“Why is the situation so bad now? We have conflict in the West Africa region, COVID is still raging, climate shocks, rising costs combine to put basic needs out of reach. millions of people,” said WFP’s Tomson Phiri at the briefing.