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'Unprecedented': Madagascar on Verge of World's First Climate-Fueled Famine [1]

['Julia Conley', 'Julia Conley Is A Staff Writer For Common Dreams.']

Date: 2021-08-25

Climate experts are warning the current extreme food shortage in southern Madagascar, following a dearth of rain for the last four years, has driven the country to the brink of the world's first famine driven almost entirely by the climate emergency.

"Everyone should have a safe place to live. Wealthy countries must step up and cut emissions now."

--Environmental Justice Foundation

The United Nations estimates that 30,000 people in the country are facing "level five" food insecurity, defined as a "catastrophe or famine" according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. With Madagascar's regular pre-harvest "lean season" looming, many more are expected to face catastrophic hunger in the coming months.

"These are famine-like conditions and they're being driven by climate, not conflict," Shelley Thakral, senior communications specialist for the World Food Program, told the BBC.

"This is unprecedented," Thakal added. "These people have done nothing to contribute to climate change. They don't burn fossil fuels... and yet they are bearing the brunt of climate change."

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[1] Url: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/08/25/unprecedented-madagascar-verge-worlds-first-climate-fueled-famine

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