By Jane Edge, CEO, CBM Australia
9 November 2021 // Sponsored
AN UNSEEN crisis is unfolding in Madagascar.
Right now, more than 1.31 million men, women and children are on the verge of starvation – and the rest of the world is looking away.
While we’re all distracted by the hope and complications of re-opening after COVID-19 lockdowns, the people of Madagascar are facing some of their darkest days.
Madagascar is on the brink of what the United Nations describe as the world’s first climate change induced famine. Back-to-back droughts means there is simply not enough food to keep every family alive. And the already scarce supplies are dwindling further every day.
According to the UN’s World Food Programme: “People are already dying – and if the world continues to ignore this ‘invisible crisis’, many more will lose their lives.”
The devastation of crops and livestock has created a deadly crisis, meaning that in some areas three out of every four families are starving.
Satry, who is working on the front line in Madagascar with CBM, describes the deadly situation like this –
“People have no food, no water. People are resorting to eating insects, leaves, and cactus plants to survive.”
Families in situations like this often begin eating dirt off the ground to keep their hunger at bay. Can you imagine being this hungry?
CBM is one of the organisations on the ground in Madagascar, and their efforts are focused on supporting the most vulnerable, particularly families affected by disability.
People with disabilities in Madagascar are already marginalised, but with this crisis, their situation is going from bad to worse.
Many cannot physically walk to distribution points where help is provided. Others can’t hear radio broadcasts or see posters to find out where to go for help. And even if they can, they find themselves pushed aside and forced to the back of every queue.
It’s always the way – in humanitarian crisis like this, people with disabilities suffer worst of all.
This is why CBM is urgently working with partners on the ground to ensure people, including those with disabilities, can access life-saving food and other desperately needed support.
“We urgently need to do more to enable people with disabilities to access food, water and medicines,” Satry says. “If we do not, people with disabilities will remain left behind and are more at risk of starvation.”
This vital, life-saving work is only possible because of the generous support of people like you.
Every day I pray that a miracle will happen – that rain will arrive, crops will grow, and the plates of hungry families will be full once again.
Like you, I believe God can work miracles. But I also believe that God has placed you and me here for moments like this – to be the miracle we pray for.
He wants to work through us – His faithful disciples – in times of devastating hardship like this. To help fill plates and empty stomachs and restore hope in the darkest of times.
‘Labourers together with God’ – that is what Paul calls us when we partner with God in these acts of generosity and compassion (1 Corinthians 3:9).
He has chosen us to serve in love where it’s needed most. And Madagascar, is a place of great need today.
Please, don’t look away.
You can support starving people in Madagascar today. Click here to donate now.
