West and Central Africa have been grappling with a mounting crisis, including climate change leading to weather patterns shift, desertification and floods. The global warming phenomena further results in factors like food shortages. On the latter, reports show that it has hit record breaking levels.
The UN and top NGOs have warned that over 50 million people in West and Central Africa will go hungry unless quick climate mitigation steps are taken. Therefore, the region should alleviate its food security sector, to ensure everyone gets consistent food supply.
According to research by Unicef and Oxfam, 1 in 10 West Africans struggle to table or have a balanced diet meal. Unfortunately, the children aged five, are suffering the most, and adding more totals to the over 17 million global cases of acute malnutrition.
True to that, food security is affecting 16% (30 million) of Nigeria’s population, and a combined 20% from Chad and Sierra Leone. Meanwhile Malian over 70,000 refugees are already struggling from the food crisis.
Unfortunately, most people depend on agriculture which is under threat from the ever-shifting climate change situation. Immediate solutions are needed NOW to help save the vulnerable in the society.
One excellent solution is adapting renewable energy stations like solar powered irrigation systems. Additionally, water sectors need to find new ways to tap and store water for agricultural purposes. One way is creating dams that can store flood water and use them during preceding drought seasons.
Also, planting trees should be a priority for every African nation. Kenya has kickstarted such initiatives, with President William Ruto promising to see through the strategy of planting over 15 billion trees throughout 10 years.
That said, it’s time for all African countries to take action, and help achieve the African Climate agenda goal.
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