More than five million people are facing food shortages in Chad

Summary

Amina Muhammad's daughter was born healthy, but due to food shortages in Lake Chad, she is now malnourished. Over 5.5 million people in Chad, including more than 3 million children, face severe food insecurity. Climate change has drastically reduced Lake Chad's size, and the militant group Boko Haram has displaced hundreds of thousands of families. The government has declared a food emergency, but aid has been insufficient. Amina, along with many others, fears for her family's survival as they struggle to find nutritious food amidst rising prices and dwindling resources.

Takeaways

• 👶 Amina Muhammad's daughter was born healthy but is now malnourished due to a lack of food.
• 🌾 Over 5.5 million people in Chad face food shortages, including 3 million children.
• 💰 Amina's family struggles to afford nutritious food, as prices are high, and their income is limited.
• 🍽 Many families in Lake Chad region cannot get the food they need due to the impact of climate change and conflict.
• 🌊 Lake Chad, a key food source, has shrunk to a tenth of its size over the past 50 years.
• ⚔️ The presence of Boko Haram in the region has further cut off people from their livelihoods.
• 🏚 Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced because of violence around Lake Chad.
• 🥣 Aid to displaced people has dwindled, and many families struggle to have enough meals each day.
• 🚨 Chad's government declared a food emergency and called for international aid, but assistance has been slow.
• 📉 Amina fears for her daughter's life as food shortages and lack of aid continue to affect families.

Q & A

Who is Amina Muhammad?

Amina Muhammad is a mother living near Lake Chad, who gave birth to her daughter two years ago. Her daughter is now malnourished due to a lack of sufficient food.

What challenges does Amina's family face?

Amina's family struggles with food insecurity, lacking access to sufficient and nutritious food due to high prices and scarcity in their area.

How many people in Chad face food shortages?

More than 5.5 million people in Chad face food shortages, which is more than a third of the country's population. Among them, over 3 million are children.

Why is food scarcity particularly high in the Lake Chad region?

Food scarcity in the Lake Chad region is driven by both climate change, which has drastically reduced the lake's size, and conflict, notably involving Boko Haram, which has displaced many people and disrupted livelihoods.

What impact has Boko Haram had on the region?

Boko Haram's presence has caused violence, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, cutting them off from their livelihoods, and contributing to the food crisis.

What is the current state of Lake Chad?

Lake Chad has shrunk to about one-tenth of its original size over the past 50 years due to climate change, which has significantly reduced the availability of food in the region.

How has the Chad government responded to the food crisis?

Earlier this year, Chad's government declared a food emergency and requested assistance from national and international organizations. The government secured and distributed 6,000 tons of food but still needs much more.

What challenges do displaced families like Fatima Ibrahim’s face?

Displaced families, like Fatima Ibrahim’s, face severe food shortages and live in dire conditions with inconsistent access to meals, often going without food for parts of the day.

What has been the international response to Chad’s food crisis?

Some countries and monetary bodies have pledged support to Chad, but many have yet to deliver on their promises, leaving those in need, including Amina’s family, to continue suffering.

What are Amina Muhammad's fears for her daughter?

Amina fears that she may lose her daughter due to malnutrition, as the family cannot afford the nutritious food the child needs to survive.