Emergency Food Distribution in Madagascar

Food insecurity in Madagascar is increasing at an alarming rate, and children are particularly vulnerable; 309,000 children under five in Southern Madagascar are currently malnourished, with 60,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). SEED has responded to this crisis through the implementation of its Emergency Food Distribution Programme. 

SEED conducted Round II of the Food Distribution programme from August to December 2021, supporting 268 malnourished children and their families across 41 villages of southern Madagascar. SEED distributed malnutrition treatment to children, whilst families received a total of 16,080 kilograms of rice, 10,720 cups of beans, and 1,608 litres of oil alongside nutrition and WASH information sessions. Round II was an overwhelming success: all 268 children enrolled in the programme fully recovered from malnutrition.

Surveys and interviews with caregivers of malnourished children also revealed significant programme impacts related to health-seeking behaviors and trust in local health centres, which are likely to improve the health of communities in the long-term. Over one third of caregivers reported an increase in confidence to approach health centres, and 98% said they would be more likely to bring their family to a health centre because of SEED’s support. One parent explained: “Being part of SEED’s Emergency Food Distribution Programme pushed me to trust the CSB health centre with their healthcare services. The project built a bond between me and the health centre.” 

Despite the programme’s success, malnutrition rates have continued to rise sharply across southern Madagascar. In some regions, admissions for SAM have reached quadruple the five-year average. In response, SEED is developing Round III of the programme, which will begin in February 2022. Additionally, in December 2021, SEED expanded its programme to include an additional five communes, with 45 referring villages, which will provide support for a further 730 malnourished children and their families.