No 'magic wand' for Sahel as food shortages loom yet again

WFP says 2012's good harvest in Sahel not enough to alleviate deep-rooted poverty, as millions more face hunger this year A well built by Oxfam in Bahr El Ghazal province, Chad. Sahel countries are once again facing hunger and malnutrition. Photograph: Andy Hall/Oxfam Aid agencies are gearing up for a second year of emergency response in the Sahel where an estimated 10.3 million people could be affected by food shortages, according to the UN (pdf). Despite rains in 2012 leading to a good harvest in October-November, deficits incurred during last year's food crisis means the poorest families have not been able to replenish their stocks and pay off debts. The situation this year is exacerbated...