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June 28, 2005
Update on food shortages in Burkina Faso
Reuters reports that the government of Burkina Faso is distributing more food aid, but says that much more will be needed over the coming months to prevent famine.
This current government distribution will be 5000 tonnes. Residents there will be able to buy a 100 kg bag of subsidised grain for 5,500 CFA (US $11), just over a quarter of the current market price of around 20,000 CFA (US $40).
The government will probably have to sell a total of 100,000 tonnes of grain at knock-down prices to vulnerable population groups before the next harvest begins in September. Such an operation would cost about US $4 million, a big cost for the third poorest country in the world.
Oudalan, the area around Gorom-Gorom where I lived for over 10 years, and where we will be doing our own food aid distribution, was the hardest hit region of the country. It lost over 90% of its harvest through a devastating combination of locusts and drought.
Posted by Keith at June 28, 2005 08:13 AM
