Africa Food Crisis

For the last three years there has been very little rain in the the North Eastern Province of Kenya. Signs of the drought are visible everywhere. (©2006 Beatrice M. Spadacini/CARE)

The hungry season is nothing new, but recently this time of want has grown more dangerous as conflict, HIV/AIDS and chronic poverty magnify environmental factors like drought. Many communities no longer have the resources to survive.

Donate now to help CARE provide urgent, effective help to those most affected by the crisis.

Food is needed — desperately — but food is not enough. CARE's response to the food crisis combines immediate food aid to those in dire need with seeds, tools and training to help farmers create long-term solutions to the problems they face. Learn how CARE worked with one community in Malawi to create lasting change.

East Africa
A severe, unexpected drought in East Africa is threatening almost 8 million people, ruining their crops and endangering the livestock their lives depend upon.

• Nearly 2 million people are in danger of starvation in Somalia, and immediate response is needed. CARE will reach an estimated 650,000 people with emergency food aid in the next six months.
• In Kenya, CARE is providing food assistance to 50,000 people and working to improve access to water and sanitation in the Garissa district, one of the most seriously affected areas.
• Over 2.6 million people are in need of aid in Ethiopia, where CARE's response combines food and water relief with long-term training in livestock management.

West Africa

Only months after the food crisis in Niger came to the world's attention last summer, this country is facing another difficult year. Food stocks are dangerously low, and 2 million people may have run out of food by the time the next rain starts in June. CARE distributed food to over 1 million people between August and December 2005, and is gearing up to respond again this year. At the same time, CARE projects are improving nutrition and agriculture for poor communities and helping families become more self-sufficient before the hungry season returns.

In Lesotho, CARE is working with communities to create school gardens. Students learn valuable agricultural skills while producing food for their families. (©2005 Brian Atkinson)

• Over 5 million people, almost half the population are in need of food assistance in Malawi. CARE is distributing food to 300,000 people and giving tools and fertilizer to 20,000 farmers.
• In Zimbabwe, more than 5 million are facing food shortages. CARE projects are providing food to 850,000 people and helping thousands of communities prepare for the future with savings and loan projects.
• More than 1.7 million people need immediate aid in Zambia, where CARE is combining food assistance with seeds and training for local farmers.

Please donate now to support CARE's work fighting the Africa food crisis.