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<p>In west Africa, over 13 million people face severe food shortages. People are already suffering, but the crisis will get much worse. Urgent humanitarian action is needed to help people in Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Senegal.<br><br>Many communities in the Sahel region of west Africa are dependent on rain-fed agriculture or pasture for their livestock. However, erratic rainfall, droughts and insect infestations have led to poor harvests and difficult conditions for livestock.<br><br>Malnutrition rates are rising and the hunger season – which usually starts around May – has come early. Some communities began facing shortages soon after 2011’s harvest, and there are still months to go before the next harvest in August.<br><br>Hadjatou Diko lives in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso. Four of her children have previously died. Now, Hadjatou is worried about her six-month-old son Issa. She says: <strong>“It’s a problem trying to feed my family and there’s not enough to cook porridge for the baby. We’ve had this situation before, but this year’s much worse.”</strong><br><br>The British Red Cross appeal will help support people in the region now, and reduce their future vulnerability. When the crisis worsens it will put lives and livelihoods at risk. Help us stop the situation deteriorating for millions of people.</p>
<p>NOTE: The West Africa Food Crisis Appeal will cover numerous countries including those currently affected and those potentially affected in the future. In the unlikely event that we raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help us prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.</p>