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Having lived in Madagascar’s Anosy region for more than 10 years, our Director of Programmes and Operations Lisa has a unique perspective on both its abundant beauty and its increasing challenges; the latter of which she explores in our newest blog on famine mitigation. Through both SEED’s immediate response with our ongoing Food Distribution Appeal, and its novel longer term strategies, this piece takes a deeper look at our continued work to alleviate the burden of food shortages on Anosy’s communities. Long-term strategies underpin the rest of our projects here at SEED, and the foundation to much of our sustainable conservation work is excellent research; to strengthen this, we have launched our newest campaign, featuring a particularly compact newly-discovered chameleon! If you find this pygmy species as adorable as we do, then we might have just the programme for you, to take place later this year… |
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Mothers and children at a rural health clinic in southeast Madagascar. Photo: SEED's Food Distribution Team |
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Combining Immediate and Long-term Responses to Famine Mitigation |
In total, 28,821kg of rice, 19,701 cups of beans, and 2,284 litres of oil have been distributed to support 653 families with malnourished children across 41 villages To date, 22,600 sachets of ready-to-eat therapeutic food (RUTF) have been distributed to 515 children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) across 41 villages
Despite further worries presented by COVID-19, the SEED team in Fort Dauphin have managed to reach all 41 villages across Anosy. Testimony from Sambo, the father of a child suffering from malnutrition, emphasises the crucial nature of this work which you have generously helped fund: “We can eat twice a day thanks to SEED’s intervention...”. Whilst statistics provide a good snapshot of SEED’s work in responding to this crisis so far, they can’t account for the profound personal impact that the famine continues to have on the people behind these figures. On this note, our Director of Programmes and Operations explains: “what is missed about Madagascar is the poverty and challenges that its people face with grit, determination, and kindness every day”. |
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Elongate Leaf Chameleon. Photo: Larissa Barker |
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The Discovery of a New Chameleon Species |
With proposed mining activities set to reduce southeast Madagascar’s littoral forests by more than 50% over the next decade, a considerable threat is not only posed to the human communities who rely on these trees for livelihoods, but also to the animal communities who depend on them for habitat. The forests of Sainte Luce are home to a single species of pygmy leaf chameleon, named the Elongate Leaf Chameleon or Palleon cf. nasus. Previously thought to be already known to scientists, this chameleon has been found to actually be a novel species! To enhance our knowledge of this pygmy chameleon and to determine its conservation status, SEED has launched its newest campaign to fund our upcoming research project on this especially small species. Watch our video below, created by artist and animator Louise Miller, to learn just why this research is vital for the future conservation of these tiny reptiles and their forest homes. |
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Hoby holding an Elongate Leaf Chameleon. Photo: SCRP Team |
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A Research Programme With a Difference |
SEED's Conservation Research Programme has been running in southeast Madagascar for over 15 years, conducting research on lemurs, reptiles, amphibians, bats, wetlands, insects and more, as well as assisting with community conservation efforts. As demonstrated in the above photo of our Conservation Programme Team Leader Hoby, this programme offers an up close and personal experience of the wildlife of Sainte Luce! Led and designed by our joint national and international researchers, this programme gives participants hands-on opportunities to make positive contributions to SEED’s conservation work in this area of extreme biodiversity. As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease in some parts of the world, SEED is excited to announce that we are now planning to accept applications for our 2-10 week programmes! Once the situation allows and is safe, we hope to commence our next scheme in late 2021, with others running throughout 2022. From budding conservationists, to those simply seeking to help our planet, this programme will suit just about anyone wanting to make a real difference! |
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Monthly Mini Malagasy Language Lesson Azafady = Excuse me | Azafady = Please | Azafady = Sorry |
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