People in the south of Madagascar are eating soil mixed with tamarind to stave off hunger as a drought has destroyed the region's staple crop, the AFP news agency reports.
"We call it survival soil because it allows the acidic taste of tamarind to seep into our mouths, which staves off hunger," AFP quotes farmer Doday Fandilava Noelisona as saying.
"These days we no longer look for food to live on, but for ways to fill the empty stomachs."
Madagascar's Grand Sud region is facing one of its worst food crisis of the last years, following three consecutive droughts that have wiped out harvests.
— OCHA Southern & Eastern Africa (@UNOCHA_ROSEA) December 2, 2020
Over 1.5 million people—half of the region’s population—need urgent food aid, according to @WFP: https://t.co/yVyubhmKOA pic.twitter.com/UodH2ISVAn
The cactus fruits which people normally rely on have dried up because of the lack of rain.
AFP quotes another farmer, Avianay Idamy, who says that he has taken up selling charcoal to raise enough money for his family to eat cassava just once a day.
The World Food Programme says 1.5 million people in Madagascar's southern region need emergency food aid.
Latest Stories
-
Africa Development Council urges ECOWAS action amid Togo’s constitutional crisis
5 hours -
Situate power sector challenges within the context of the 4th Republic – Jantuah
6 hours -
Empowering Youth through IT Education: IT For Youth Ghana College leads the way
6 hours -
Trump criminal case: Full 12-person jury seated in Manhattan
6 hours -
Israel Gaza: US again warns against Rafah offensive
6 hours -
Man arrested in Poland over alleged Russia plot to kill Zelensky
6 hours -
Over 100 arrested as US college Gaza protest cleared
6 hours -
Justmoh Construction begins work on dualization of Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta road
7 hours -
MGL visits Dumor family following passing of Mawuena Trebarh
7 hours -
In Pursuit of Peace and Unity: Interfaith Leaders Promote Dialogue – Chief Doli-Wura to Africa Union
7 hours -
TEWU raises concern over quality of food served in SHS
8 hours -
Ghanaian students gear up for Robotics World Championship
8 hours -
Political interference makes public sector managers appear incompetent – Dr Manteaw
9 hours -
Police arrest truck driver alleged to have caused train crash
9 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC depart to Cairo ahead of semis first leg against Zamalek
9 hours