On this international day for the fight against desertification and drought, we would like to remind you that sub-Saharan Africa, where Morija operates, is one of the regions of the planet in which climate change is the most extreme. The temperature there has risen by almost 1.5°C, well above the global average. At the same time, the region is experiencing a decrease in rainfall, with an average decrease of 15% in rainfall over the past 30 years. These trends are likely to worsen if concrete measures are not taken to combat desertification and drought.
Due to the constant rise in temperatures in the sub-Saharan region, and according to estimates, nearly 65% of agricultural land in the region is already affected by desertification, which threatens the food sovereignty of many countries in this region.
The consequences of desertification are particularly devastating because they impact the lives of infants and young children. Indeed, child malnutrition is a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa, with millions of children suffering from undernourishment and deficiencies in essential nutrients. Families, unable to produce enough food in disrupted climatic conditions, find themselves facing difficulties in feeding their children.
This is why Morija continues to fight daily with its teams against malnutrition, with its Nutrition Centers and its sustainable agriculture projects.
“We remain on alert, as close as possible to the population, to understand the sources of malnutrition. Unfortunately, the problems of desertification and prolonged droughts impact local cultures, which leads to a decrease in accessibility to foodstuffs and an increase in prices. Therefore, we expect an increase in the number of children affected by malnutrition in the coming years. » Elise Berchoire, Morija Program Manager
