Development and Peace is providing $50,000 to Caritas Mali in support of its emergency food aid program.
From now until July, the organization will distribute 2,923 tons of cereal to more than 110,000 people, representing approximately 14,000 families. The aid program is estimated to be worth 2 million dollars.
Caritas Mali will also support around 100 reserve granaries, a community initiative that allows farmers to protect themselves against price speculation for cereals during shortages.
It is estimated that 3 million Malians are currently experiencing food insecurity due to the low rain falls of 2011, as well as increases in food prices.
Niger and Burkina Faso, countries that neighbour Mali, are also going through an important food crisis. According to the World Food Programme, more than 8 million people currently require food assistance in the Sahel region of West Africa.
“In an area of the world where most people live only on what they can grow, inconsistent rains, failed harvests and dying animals mean that hunger is a fact of life for many,” says the international organization.
Development and Peace welcomes individual donations for this emergency relief effort.
Donations can be made by phone (1-888-664-3387), through our online donation form at www.devp.org, or by sending a cheque bearing the mention “Food crisis – West Africa” to Development and Peace at:
Development and Peace
1425 René-Lévesque Blvd West, 3rd Floor
Montréal, Québec H3G 1T7
- 30 -
For more information please contact:
François Gloutnay, Communications Officer
514 257-8710 ext. 318
francois.gloutnay@devp.org