Loucine Hayes
The drought situation in the Syunik
region of south Armenia has worsened so much this summer that saving most
crops in the affected areas is now almost an impossibility. World Vision
staff in the area believe the international community is faced with a relief
situation of dire proportions.
"Many families have invested all they have into the soil and are looking at the possibility of having nothing to eat this winter," reports Carrie Dullin, World Vision (WV) Armenia project manager in Syunik region.
"In total, 8,697 very poor and 16,588 poor people throughout the region are facing Kcal deficits at the current time. The need to purchase food is high as agricultural potential is limited and local cereal production in the region was severely impacted by the drought in 2000," according to the World Food Programme's Armenia Food Security Assessment report of March/April 2001.
More than 65 percent of Syunik region is affected by the drought this year leaving 85 percent of the population of the region with little flour, fodder and seeds for replanting next year, according to the latest reports from the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture. This already grim situation is sure to deteriorate.
"In the majority of villages 70% of the food is produced locally, and it places the entire population in danger as crops fail this year," said Armen Nersisyan, Community Union leader for Syunik villages.
The main cash crops that grow in the villages of Syunik region are wheat and barley. This year the stalks are not tall enough for the combine to harvest. The harvest is so burnt that it is not even good for animal feed. The villagers have to take their livestock further and further into the mountains to find new pastures. So not only the harvest but the livestock is also severely affected by the escalating drought. The lack of available fodder for livestock is also causing a decrease in the supply of milk.
The ground is so dry and the cracks in the earth are so deep that if the upcoming winter is again dry, agricultural production could be handicapped for years. There are no working irrigation systems in the area and in some villages people have to travel five miles just to find potable water.
Website: http://www.wvi.org.au