‘Nothing left’: Madagascar’s devastating drought Southern Madagascar is on the brink of being in the world’s 1st climate changedriven famine in modern history. This devastating drought is affecting smallholder farmers, villagers, children, plants, animals and saldy most of the individuals within the communities. The word “Kere,” meaning hunger, echoes around Madagascar, and for the past four years, this lack of food has become constant. In Madagascar, there are two different seasons. There is the summer, with a large amount of rain, and there is the winter, which is extremely dry. But there is not much difference between these two seasons anymore. The severe lack of rain, depleting food sources, dried up rivers and sand storms render farmable land infertile. In the hardesthit communities, people have been forced to eat wild cactus leaves and tubers to survive. In the article “S. Madagascar on the verge of climate change-induced famine: How to help,” Patrick Vercamme, the World Programme’s emergency coordinator says, “Having sandstorms in this kind of landscape is not something usual and having the effects of sandstorms shows that nature is changing, the environment is changing, and that climate change is affecting this area.” The situation has also led to widespread malnutrition affecting over 1 million people
Cat Ohle
being classified as “catastrophic” by the United Nations. According to the World Food Programme and UNICEF, at least half a million kids are acutely malnourished and already are in severe condition, having irreversible damage to their growth. Madagascar has only produced 0.01 percent of the world’s annual carbon emissions for the past eight decades yet is suffering the worst effects. “It is not fair...these people have not contributed to climate change because they do not have electricity, they do not have cars etc., and they’re paying probably the highest price in terms of the consequences of climate change,” country director of the World Food Programme in Madagascar Arduino Mangoni said. As the climate warms, Madagascar is expected to grow even hotter causing more frequent drought, only worsening the situation. David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Program, told The Associated Press in an interview that what’s happening in Madagascar is “the beginning of what we can expect” to see as the effects of global warming become more pronounced. “Madagascar was heartbreaking,” Beasley said. “It’s just desperate.” People have been reduced to selling their household pots and pans to try to buy food. We are urged to consider this really big problem, and how it
could bring a fast impact to any population. Donating is an immediate solution, but longer term, there needs to be understanding on how to mitigate climate change. “In many ways this can be seen as a very powerful argument for people to change their ways,” said Dr Rondro Barimalala, a Madagascan scientist working at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Currently, The World Food Programme is working together with the Malagasy government to alleviate some of the needs in this region by preventing and treating children experiencing malnutrition. This is one step towards many that are being taken in order to help and prevent climate change issues around the world.
photo by Jules Bosco
Is online trading worth the risk? Claire McGrath
It has become popular for people today to be using online “trading” as ways to shop. Facebook Marketplace, Craig’s List and Bedlist are all similar sites that are used to purchase items locally and meet face-toface with the seller. However, meeting with strangers to purchase items has sadly become life threatening. On Nov. 1, Chicago (CBS) reported “A man was robbed at gunpoint after he thought he was meeting a buyer through Facebook Marketplace, and it was all caught on camera.” Mohammed Addil attempted to sell his phone over Facebook Marketplace in a public spot, but when he made contact over the phone with the seller, the “women” guilt tripped Addil by saying she is disabled and cannot drive. She then asked him to meet her near her house. Addil fell for the trick and went near her house to do the swap. A man showed up where he was told to come, then suddenly the gun was pulled on him. The man was threatening Addil to give him the phone. He stood there frozen not knowing what to do. Because it was captured on security cameras, police were able to arrest the culprit.
“I was interacting with that person – somebody else came from my back and pointed a gun towards my head,” Mohammed Addil says. Unfortunately, Chicago CBS reports, “It would not be the first time. At least six people selling items through social media have been robbed since September – all within a oneblock radius in South Chicago.” This is why it is crucial to have extra precautions while meeting with strangers to purchase things. Fox News reported another story about a similar incident and also some helpful guidelines from police about trading safety. “Only bring enough cash for purchase, come with a friend, do not give your personal information and trust your gut.” They also state, “If the person you’re doing business with does not want to meet in a safe location, such as a police station, that is a red flag that maybe you should not be doing business with them at all.” It is crucial to follow these guidelines in order to make sure you’re safe. If you catch any red flags from the person, either cancel the trade or at least be sure to meet in a public area. It is very important that you tell a family
member or a friend where you are going before you go to ensure people know your whereabouts. Always trust your instincts and do not doubt your gut. Most of the time you have an idea if something feels unsafe or not right. If you’re ever unsure, go over the precautions and see if you followed all the safety guidelines.
above: example of a trade safety sign. These are located in areas with surviellance to ensure safety of both the buyer and seller. graphic by Claire McGrath
november/december 2021
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