VATICAN CITY/NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, NOV. 12, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Caritas Internationalis has launched an appeal for over $200,000 to assist Caritas-Mauritania respond to two simultaneous crises that have put their nation’s food supply at risk.
As in 2002, insufficient rainfall in 2004 has led to widespread drought. At the same time, the country has been inundated with desert locusts that have devoured much of the remaining crops. Of all the West African countries attacked by locust swarms, Mauritania suffered the most extensive infestation. An estimated 44% of the population was affected by the locust invasions and the normal cultivation cycle was completely thrown off course.
Caritas has set up an emergency program for 2004-2005 to help food producers rehabilitate the agricultural system. The program seeks not only to meet the immediate needs of the people effected, but also to build up the farmers’ capacity to deal with chronic problems, such as drought.
Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations present in over 200 countries and territories.
