The Sahel region has historically faced chronic food insecurity and high levels of maternal and child malnutrition. The situation this year is predicted to be far worse, particularly affecting Chad and Niger. Poor rainfall has caused large deficits in the agricultural and pastoral productions. This situation is further aggravated by escalating food prices and recurrent epidemics such as measles in Chad. Niger is in the grip of a severe food and nutrition crisis, expected to continue at least until the end of the hunger season, in October. Recent data show that 7.1 million people in Niger are food insecure,of which 3.3 million are severely affected. An estimated 378,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition and 1.2 million cases of moderate acute malnutrition among children under five will be registered in 2010, if urgent actions are not taken. In response to this urgent situation, UNICEF is scaling up its response to prevent devastating death tolls among children under five. UNICEF is supporting an increasing number of therapeutic feeding centres treating children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. UNICEF further supports optimal infant and young child feeding practices,including exclusive breast-feeding during the first six months of life and provides vitamins and minerals through fortified foods and supplements, promotes access to sanitation and clean water and supports preventive and curative health interventions.
Humanitarian Action Update - Sahel Region - 3 June 2010 [pdf]
