The UN humanitarian wing said on Tuesday it has allocated 6.45 million U.S. dollars to help190,000 people in the rural southern regions of Madagascar who are suffering from the combined effects of drought, cyclones and political instability.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the money would be shared by the World Food Program (WFP), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) for emergency work in the island nation.

Madagascar has suffered multiple crises this year, including drought, crop failure, cyclones and a period of political instability marked by violence, the OCHA said. The political instability slowed the delivery of basic services and aid, and severely affected industry and other livelihood sources, including tourism.

A recent assessment by the WFP revealed severe food insecurity for many households, with families resorting to selling their livestock and household goods.

The UNICEF also reported an alarming increase in levels of malnutrition among children from the ages of six months to 5 years.

According to the OCHA, the WFP will use 3.8 million U.S. dollars for three-month programs to reduce malnutrition and mortality rates.

The UNICEF will use its 1.5 million U.S. dollar to distribute emergency water and sanitation supplies, provide hygiene kits and assist local authorities in monitoring emergency safe water interventions.

Source:Xinhua