Action Against Hunger - Spain

Published purpose

March 2018 - Conditions across the Sahel belt and neighbouring countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have deteriorated, resulting in a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a range of factors including poverty, political and economic instability, conflict, and climate change. The current conditions with respect to rainfall resemble those seen in 2011-2012, when drought and crop production shortfalls caused a major food crisis. The drought situation is expected to result in intensified food insecurity and increased humanitarian needs throughout 2018 and into the next year. With the support of GAC, Action Against Hunger is helping to assist up to 1,467,170 affected people in eight Sahel and neighbouring countries: Mauritania, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon. Project activities include: (1) supporting the treatment of severe acute malnutrition cases with or without serious medical complications for children affected by severe acute malnutrition; (2) setting up strategies to promote good food practices and behaviors, taking into account the beneficiaries’ socio-economic and cultural background; (3) reinforcing the capacity of community actors on pregnancy monitoring, danger signs detection and assisted childbirth; (4) rehabilitating, putting in place and ensuring follow-up on the water, sanitation and hygiene minimal package in health and community structures; and (5) reinforcing the decision-making power of women in the prevention of severe acute malnutrition through sensitization sessions and nutritious local food vouchers.