Located on the edge of the desert, the Sahelian belt hasn't seen rain in months. For many who live there, it is a struggle to feed their families. In the North Kanem region of Chad, the most vulnerable populations depend on World Food Programme (WFP) food distributions. These food distributions are not only life-saving; they are also a source of hope.

The lean season is the period between harvests when food stocks are depleted. Food is therefore scarcer and the risk of malnutrition is substantially higher. During this period, food distributions are ever more vital. The European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations is one of the donors making this assistance possible.

By Nathalie Magnien, WFP Communications officer in Chad

The Sahel region of Chad is a desert that cuts right through the centre of the country for thousands of kilometres. The last time the region experienced rainfall was in September 2015, a distant memory for many of the people living there.

Due to such harsh climatic conditions, half the population — some two million people — face hunger. More than a quarter of the population struggle to provide food for their families and are therefore in need of urgent food assistance. Malnutrition rates are above 15%, an alarmingly high rate, which is well above the emergency threshold of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Haoua Abdallah is a 48 year-old widow and mother of eight. She lives in Barkadroussou, which is situated around 80 kilometres from Mao, the main city of Kanem. She used to have goats and sheep, which provided much needed milk and a source of income. When her children fell ill due to poor living conditions, she had no choice but to sell most of her livestock in order to pay for medication for her children. "Now I only have four goats and it's really difficult to provide for my family," she said.

Haoua, like many living in Chad, has suffered from the impact of an erratic rainy season in the Sahel. Additionally, the repercussions of insecurity and instability in the Lake Chad region exacerbate the livelihoods for many. Many pastoralists in Kanem rely on selling their cattle in Nigeria but now find their livelihoods at stake after the border was closed due to violence by Boko Haram.

Through food distributions, Haoua received cereals, pulses, oil, sugar and salt. She knows that without this assistance, life would be harder.

With support from the EU, WFP and its partners are providing food during the lean season in Kanem to 5 500 people. The EU is also currently financing the distribution of highly nutritional products to prevent malnutrition for 3 200 children from 6 to 23 months and for 1 300 nursing and pregnant women.

Fatime Sinine is a mother of seven children, and also a widow. "Thanks to this food assistance we can face the lean season and my children's food is more diverse and more nutritious."

Providing options between grains and nutrient-rich foods is especially important for these families. Fatime and Haoua can have peace of mind knowing that their children have access to a wholesome diet. The result is that their children are given the opportunity to grow stronger, be healthier, and have a better chance at life.

For Haoua and Fatime, overcoming the lean season is one challenge they are determined to win for the sake of their children's future.