Southern Madagascar Faces Severe Famine Amid Climate Challenges and El Niño

In southern Madagascar, many children are suffering from malnutrition as famine grips the region. At a World Food Programme center in Ifotaka, children with swollen bellies wait for meals. This center opened after a famine in 2021-2022, which was the first famine linked to climate change, according to the United Nations.

The looming El Niño weather pattern, expected to be one of the strongest on record, is likely to worsen conditions. The World Meteorological Organization has warned that southern Africa, including Madagascar, may face increased drought risks starting this October. The region is already experiencing hunger, exacerbated by cuts in international aid and rising inflation due to global conflicts.

Ifotaka, a small town with wooden shacks, was the center of the previous famine. Around 30,000 people in the area faced severe food shortages, relying on boiling cactus and scraps of animal hide to survive. Tania Goosens, the World Food Programme’s country director, noted a significant rise in climate-related disasters in Madagascar over the past two decades.

In the nearby village of Manindra, farmers are struggling due to a lack of rain. Normally, they expect rainfall by late September, but this year has been dry. Save the Children has increased its budget for Madagascar in anticipation of a worsening crisis. By next April, nearly 270,000 children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition, according to UN predictions.

In Amboasary-Atsimo, a local hospital has reported multiple deaths of malnourished children this year. The lack of international aid, particularly from the United States, has further strained resources. The World Food Programme estimates that about 3.7 million people in Madagascar will face serious food insecurity, marking a troubling situation compared to previous years.

As farmers struggle to access water for their crops, some are investing in solar-powered pumps, which are costly and out of reach for many. Most people in the region live below the poverty line, making it difficult for them to afford the necessary tools to survive the harsh climate.