Holistically Alleviating Poverty in Madagascar

Since January 2021, SEED has supported communities across the Anosy region through the Emergency Food Distribution Programme. Despite ongoing interventions, food insecurity in Madagascar, particularly in the southeast, remains high, with 1.64 million people classified in Crisis or Emergency. Access to food has been severely diminished due to several factors including the region’s most severe drought since 1981, the long-term impacts of Covid-19, and two severe cyclones; Emnati and Batsirai. Recovering from the lean season, the number of people in need of urgent food assistance was expected to increase by 96,000 in March 2023.

The Emergency Food Distribution Programme has been successful in supporting 95 communities across 18 local health care centres, and has trained 190 community health workers across the Anosy region to identify moderate and severe acute malnutrition. Health behaviours have also improved through the increased use of family planning services, with 8,644 women and girls accessing family services since March 2022. In the latest round of food distribution in the South Site, there was an incredible 100% recovery rate for severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition.

Building on the accomplishments of the programme, SEED is transitioning from a short-term approach to long term recovery and resilience. With the success of the 24-in-24 campaign which raised an incredible £24,000 in 24 days, SEED can continue to empower communities with the knowledge to make informed decisions on their health and wellbeing. By building the capacity of health care centres and community health workers, providing WASH information sessions and nutrition education, and increasing access to family planning, SEED aims to equip communities with the knowledge, skills and resources to build long-term resilience for the future.

Thank you for supporting SEED’s Emergency Food Distribution and Recovery and Resilience Programmes