We're Here Because We Can Make A Difference

Crisis Escalating in the Sahel

As of July 2012, 19 million people were facing food insecurity in the Sahel region in Western Africa. This doesn’t have to turn into a famine, but it will if proper action is not taken. Food crises hit the Sahel hard in 2005 and 2010, rendering the region particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, and this year has given rise to a perfect storm of factors contributing to the food crisis.

Insecurity and displacement due to conflict in Northern Mali, return of migrants from Libya because of violence there, locusts, decreased remittances because of the global economy and other factors are combining to create a food crisis for millions in the Sahel. Food insecurity isn’t just about a drought, it’s influenced by geopolitics, the global economy, environmental degradation, and even bugs’ reproductive cycles. There is no one cause, and there is no silver bullet solution.

However, there are steps that we can take to address the crisis and save millions of lives.

In a report released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, in July 2012, emergency response programs in the Sahel were underfunded by about 93 million US dollars. These programs aren’t just about providing food; they’re focused on building resilience, tackling root causes of poverty: FAO, Oxfam, and other international responders are dedicated to addressing structural causes of hunger and famine. But without proper funding, they won’t be effective.

Governments aren’t funding response programs to full levels because politicians everywhere are focused on cutting costs in the face of the global economic downturn, and because constituencies aren’t demanding that governments fulfill their commitments to the Sahel region. As people concerned about the crisis in the Sahel, we have a responsibility to take action to raise awareness about the crisis and agitate for follow-through with monetary pledges.

Not all programs addressing global hunger are “glamorous.” Sometimes it’s more important to de-worm cattle than it is to pass out food to photogenic children. That sounds cynical, and on some level it is, but as pointed out in Half the Sky, service work should be about those needing assistance, not the volunteers.

Another myth is that every activity has to be some huge production that saves millions, but really small actions, even taken locally, can have a huge impact. Host a GROW dinner right here in Madison and talk about the crisis in the Sahel. Donate $1 to Oxfam America. Write a letter to the editor calling on the media to cover the crisis. Call your federal Senator or Representative and tell them you’re concerned about the 19 million people at risk in Western Africa.

Food insecurity in the Sahel in 2012 does not have to turn into a famine, and by working together we can make sure it does not.

Get Involved

Host a GROW dinner at your house! Email Madison@oxfamactioncorps.org if you’re interested in getting together with some friends, putting out Oxfam placemats, and talking about food justice. It’s painless, it’s fun, and it can snowball into something huge. Our goal is to host 100 GROW dinners in Madison by October 20^th to commemorate World Hunger Day. Also watch out for more information about World Hunger Day events with Slow Food UW the week of October 16^th!

Volunteer at Second Harvest on Saturday, September 8. It’s a great time! Email Madison@oxfamactioncorps.org if interested!

Come find us at the Farmer’s Market! There aren’t too many left, so be sure to find us near the State Street corner, grab some literature, sign our latest petition and have a great conversation.

Donate to Oxfam America. Even if it’s just $1, your donation will go a long way in addressing global hunger, and you can say it’s for the Sahel crisis. Oxfam America doesn’t take any funds from the government, so all of our work is funded by donors passionate about solving world hunger.  

Thank You

Thank you all so much for your energy and commitment to Madison Oxfam Action Corps so far. Kat and I have been inspired by you all, and we look forward to continuing our work together.