The famine in Madagascar is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. Here are the primary causes:
Drought: Madagascar is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years, leading to crop failures and water scarcity. Climate change is making these droughts more frequent and severe.
Desertification: The southern region of Madagascar is particularly vulnerable to desertification due to deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices. This exacerbates the impact of droughts, as soil loses its fertility and water retention capacity.
High poverty rates: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, with over 70% of the population living below the poverty line. This makes people vulnerable to climate shocks as they lack the resources to cope with food insecurity.
Unequal distribution of wealth: The wealth in Madagascar is concentrated in the hands of a few, while the majority of the population struggles to survive. This inequality contributes to food insecurity as the poor lack access to resources and opportunities.
Political unrest: Madagascar has experienced political instability and unrest in recent years, which has hampered efforts to address the famine and provide humanitarian aid.
Lack of government capacity: The government struggles to provide effective governance and support to vulnerable communities, making it difficult to respond to emergencies like the current drought.
Unsustainable agricultural practices: Deforestation for agricultural land and fuelwood is a major problem in Madagascar. This destroys the natural vegetation that helps retain moisture and prevents soil erosion, contributing to the vulnerability to droughts.
Lack of access to land: Many people in the south of Madagascar lack secure land rights, making it difficult to invest in sustainable agriculture and improve their livelihoods.
Dependence on a few crops: The southern region relies heavily on a few crops, such as maize and cassava, which are highly susceptible to drought. This lack of crop diversity makes the food system vulnerable to climate shocks.
Limited access to markets: The southern region is remote and has poor infrastructure, making it difficult for farmers to access markets and sell their produce. This limits their income and makes them more vulnerable to food insecurity.
It's important to note that these factors are intertwined and reinforce each other, creating a vicious cycle of poverty, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. Addressing the famine in Madagascar requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles these root causes and empowers communities to build resilience in the face of climate change and other challenges.
In mid-2021, a severe drought in southern Madagascar caused hundreds of thousands of people, with some estimating more than 1 million people including nearly 460,000 children, to suffer from food insecurity or famine. Some organizations have attributed the situation to the impact of climate change and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.