The non-governmental organization Oxfam warned Tuesday that about fifty million people in West Africa are at risk of starvation because of the repercussions of the Covid-19 epidemic, which exacerbated drought and insecurity in the region.
According to estimates by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the global humanitarian organization said that the number of people suffering from a food crisis in the region could rise by 200% within three months, to fifty million in August from 17 million in June / June.
She added that - despite the efforts made by the countries concerned - the population at risk of starvation, whether they live in cities or rural areas, suffer from increasing difficulties in accessing food markets and face a steady rise in prices and a decrease in the availability of some basic foodstuffs, due to General closure measures imposed to curb the spread of the epidemic, border closures and insecurity in some areas.
In a few days, Burkina Faso witnessed an increase in the price of a 100 kg millet bag from 16 thousand to 19 thousand CFA francs, and the price of a liter of cooking oil increased by 100% Almost, I wonder how we will spend Ramadan this year in light of the presence of the virus in addition to insecurity. "
Oxfam said that in countries facing humanitarian crises, access to food has become more difficult. In Burkina Faso and Niger, humanitarian aid cannot reach thousands of displaced people or cover their food needs, making emergency aid programs more important than ever.
The organization added that with the start of the agricultural season, producers and farmers are also facing difficulties obtaining high-quality seeds and fertilizers.
Agriculture contributes 30.5% of the West African economy, and is the largest source of income and livelihood for between 70% and 80% of the population, especially for women.
On the other hand, shepherds and livelihoods communities are experiencing increasing difficulties in securing livelihoods, due to the closing of borders between countries or even regions and the repercussions of climate change, which has a negative impact on the creation of pastures, which threatens to increase the conflicts between herders and farmers.