Madagascar - Emergency humanitarian aid for food assistance to school canteens and nutritional supplements in the Grand Sud

The emergency humanitarian aid for food assistance to school canteens and nutritional supplementation in the Grand Sud was initiated in response to the appeal for international aid by the Madagascar authorities to support the most vulnerable populations affected by the severe food insecurity affecting the country. It complements the efforts made by the Malagasy Government and its partners to urgently finance the purchase and distribution of foodstuffs for the most vulnerable populations affected by this severe food insecurity. The activities envisaged within the framework of this operation will focus on the purchase and distribution of foodstuffs to ensure and supplement the nutritional needs of the vulnerable populations, and to promote equitable access to schooling for children through school canteens. The Bank's intervention will contribute to helping the population to get through the lean season, which generally lasts from December to April or May (depending on the arrival of the new crops), i.e. over a period of 4 to 5 months. With the effects of climate change on the ground, including this period of drought, the lean season could extend to 9 months, since it could begin as early as September/October.