The people of Madagascar have been struggling with prolonged drought for several years. This has left tens of thousands of people experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger and food insecurity. While the situation is grave, the crisis has received limited media attention in many parts of the world.
Peter Oussoren, a teacher at King’s Christian Collegiate, a high school in Oakville, Ontario, first learned about the challenges facing communities in Madagascar through an episode of Al Jazeera’s Start Here programme. When Peter shared what was happening with his Grade 9 students, they felt compelled to respond.
The students decided to take action by organizing a fundraiser to support drought response efforts in southern Madagascar through Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of organizations working together to address global hunger. Their goal was to raise $1,000 CND. Peter later shared their efforts with Al Jazeera, saying, “Students were willing to give and they wanted to meet their goal.” As word spread, students from other Grade 9 classes joined in, and together they raised $2,500.
World Renew, a founding member of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, is grateful to Peter and his students for their compassion and for extending God’s love to people they may never meet, but whose struggles they chose to take seriously.
Compounding crises in Madagascar
Drought is not the only challenge facing Madagascar.
In early 2022, a series of powerful storms struck the country. Cyclone Ana caused widespread damage in northern regions, destroying homes and infrastructure. Shortly after, Cyclone Batsirai made landfall with devastating winds and rainfall, leaving hundreds of thousands of people displaced and in urgent need of food assistance. Additional storms followed, further stretching the capacity of communities already struggling to cope.
While emergency food assistance is critical in moments of crisis, long-term solutions are essential in a country where recurring natural disasters have taken a heavy toll. Poor infrastructure, limited access to education, and a high dependence on rain-fed agriculture all contribute to chronic food insecurity. An estimated 75 percent of the population lives in poverty, surviving on less than $2.00 per day.
World Renew’s response
Recognizing both the immediate and long-term needs, World Renew, together with Canadian Foodgrains Bank and local partners, has been working to support households affected by food insecurity in Madagascar. Through a multi-year approach, families receive short-term assistance—such as cash support and staple foods—to meet immediate needs, alongside opportunities that help strengthen livelihoods and resilience over time. This includes support for conservation agriculture practices, such as growing drought-tolerant crops, developing non-agricultural sources of income, and forming community savings and loans groups.
When awareness leads to action
As we reflect on Peter’s classroom and the choices those students made, we are reminded that positive change often begins with learning, empathy, and action—no matter where we are in the world.
Please continue to pray for the people of Madagascar: for those displaced by disasters to find safety and stability, and for communities facing food insecurity to experience hope and restoration. Pray also for wisdom and guidance for World Renew and partners as they work alongside local communities to share God’s hope in the midst of ongoing challenges.
