400,000 facing starvation in Madagascar, Church leaders warn

Madagascar is facing a “frightening” humanitarian crisis, according to the head of the German bishops’ international office. Madagascar is an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean. The United Nations has warned droughts could push 400,000 people toward starvation in the nation of 26 million people. “Due to the unprecedented drought of the last few weeks, mass deaths are threatening there. People are living on insects, clay and loose leaves. The situation is disastrous, the extent of hunger frightening. I therefore appeal to the international community to act quickly to prevent an even greater famine,” said Archbishop Dr Ludwig Schick of Bamberg, the chairman of the Commission for the Universal Church of the German Bishops’ Conference, in a letter asking for support for the nation.

400,000 facing starvation in Madagascar, Church leaders warn