CERF allocates more than $6.4 million for vulnerable populations affected by drought in southern Madagascar
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A farmer in southern Madagascar [Photo: IRIN]
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26 May 2009: In 2009, Madagascar has suffered the effects of multiple crises, including drought, cyclones and a period of political instability marked by violence. The political instability slowed the delivery of basic services and aid, and also severely affected industry and other livelihood sources, including the tourism sector, causing income losses for many households. With the majority of the population living on under $1 a day, increased food prices and limited incomes have curtailed the ability of most households to access foodstuffs, water, sanitation and other social services – services which are usually provided on a cost-recovery basis.
Responding to this situation, the World Food Programme (WFP) used a CERF allocation of $3.8 million for three-month programmes to reduce malnutrition and mortality rates. One such project targeted some 14,000 households with at least one malnourished child with a balanced family ration. Another component helped to bring nutritional assistance to some 22,000 children under five years old. Targeted water and health programmes were undertaken to ensure the success of the food allocations.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) used its $1.5 million CERF allocation to purchase and distribute emergency water and sanitation supplies, provide hygiene kits and assist local authorities in monitoring emergency safe water interventions. UNICEF also worked with the World Health Organization (WHO), which used some $ 150,000 to improve vulnerable peoples’ access to health care and to control outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
Another $320,000 of the CERF allocation went to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) programmes for planting short-cycle crops like cassava to be available in the next harvest season, and $125,000 went to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for improving access to reproductive health interventions.
[Last update: 3 June 2009]