Food assistance as an emergency solution for drought-affected families in Madagascar

Masisoa Tsara is struggling to feed her two children as a long-running drought in the south of Madagascar decimates crops and household incomes in this largely rural region.

“The situation is tough. I have nothing. All I can do is to sell charcoal to feed my children,” she explains. Local communities think that cutting trees for charcoal is the last option for them, though they realize the impact the practice will have on younger generations. A priority for her is to keep Marolaza Soa, 10, and Mija Souvenir, 6, in school. But that is becoming increasingly challenging.  

On the day we meet, Marolaza Soa is having her lunch at 2:40 p.m. The meal serves her as breakfast as well. She eats just rice and cassava leaves with no protein for her body and brain development. “I like it with boiled rice,” she smiles. Like the other children in her village, she only has one meal a day, and sometimes nothing. But on this day, the family is happy because food is being distributed by a humanitarian organization. They receive oil, peas, beans. But this is just an emergency response. Their future is still worrying.