Contract Signed for U.S. Humanitarian Food Security Program

Antananarivo - The U.S. Ambassador hosted a reception to celebrate the signing of a contract to fund a new humanitarian assistance program in Madagascar. The USAID Food for Peace office will direct $85 million over five-years-an estimated $17 million/year- to reduce the food insecurity and vulnerability of approximately 492,500 people in 120 rural communes and three urban centers in eastern and southern parts of the country.

The Strengthening and Accessing Livelihoods Opportunities for Household Impact (SALOHI) program will support communities to increase food production and subsequent income, mobilize capital, improve nutritional health, and handle shocks such as droughts, cyclones, and flooding.

The program will be implemented by a consortium of experienced NGOs in Madagascar, including the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. (CARE), Catholic Relief Services – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (CRS) and Land O'Lakes International Development Division. CRS will lead the consortium.

Food assistance through food for training will provide nutritional support and valuable life skills to extremely vulnerable households in urban areas during the lean season. Supplementary food rations will be distributed to households with pregnant or lactating women and children 6-23 months of age.

Over 60 percent of the estimated 20 million people in Madagascar survive on less than $1 per day and 70 percent of households lack enough food to eat at some point during the year.

USAID has provided humanitarian food assistance and worked to improve food security since its field office opened in 1984 and through financial support since 1962.