Conditions are desperate in the Sahel region of Mali, where families already reduced to one meal a day are now forced to eat their seed stock to survive. Severe drought and a military coup are combining to make the humanitarian situation worse by the day. NEF is mobilizing to help avert a disaster by providing critical supplies and field support so that farmers can plant crops to feed the hungry.
Political instability, a poor agricultural harvest, and ongoing drought in Mali have led to a large and growing number of internally displaced people. This puts stress on communities that already lack sufficient food. The situation is so dire that people are literally eating seeds. The growing season is rapidly approaching and they no longer have the seeds needed for planting. The crisis response is challenged as many international donors have stopped funding to Mali because of the coup.
NEF has worked in Mali for almost 30 years. We have established a strong network in these communities that's capable of responding immediately to help people survive this crisis. Our priority is to deliver fast maturing, drought resistant seeds to farmers so they can plant crops as soon as possible. Additionally we will provide training and tools for planting and harvesting the fields, and for storing food. Plus we will help farmers sustainably use what precious water resources they have.
Survival is the priority today. In the long term, NEF's goal is to build both food and water security in the region. We will continue to teach simple, low-cost ways to collect, store, and manage water resources. This enables a steady increase in agricultural production and resilience in the face of political and environmental uncertainty. With NEF techniques and staff support, over 100 communities throughout the region have already improved their lives and proven that these strategies work.
"As conditions worsen, communities with NEF support have hope to produce food & survive, while the villages around them are starving."
- Yacouba Deme, NEF Mali Country Director
Total Funding Received to Date: $4,366
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $10,634
Total Funding Goal: $15,000
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