WFP assists Senegal as Sahel food crisis continues

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More than one million people in Senegal are believed to be food insecure, the World Food Programme (WFP) reports.

WFP recently launched its latest round of cash vouchers in the Casamance region with distribution to 1,000 heads of families. The aim is to reach nearly 900,000 people.

Spokesperson Elizabeth Byrs says in Casamance, some people's only daily meal is a soup made from the leaves of the baobab tree.

"This distribution will go on for four months, and we also restocked the cereal banks in some places in Casamance for all the people to get rice, to get something to eat. One meal a day: it's not enough; it's not enough for children." (Duration: 16″)

Senegal is just one country in the Sahel region which has been hit by numerous crises including drought, food shortages and, in some areas, conflict.

So far this year, WFP has supported nearly six million people in the Sahel. The agency hopes to help 10 million people there.