Niger faces prolonged food crisis, more aid urgently needed, UN agency warns

Unless the international community renews its commitment to deal with the consequences of this year’s food crisis in Niger, including prevailing high levels of malnutrition among children, the country faces a second successive year of extreme suffering and hardship, the United Nations food agency warned today.

“Niger has sadly slipped down the international agenda, which could have disastrous consequences for those who are still suffering from the effects of this year’s crisis,” World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director Gian Carlo Cirri said.

Over 1.2 million people are estimated to have cereal stocks for only three months, a further 2 million for a maximum of five months, and nearly 2 million more face a precarious year struggling to maintain already borderline livelihoods, yet WFP still needs $20.3 million to fund its current emergency operation until March, $8.3 million of it immediately.

A break in food supplies looms as early as December if donations are not forthcoming.

“It will take only the slightest adversity to push families over the edge again,” Mr. Cirri said, referring to this year’s crisis when 3 million people, about a quarter of the impoverished West African country’s population were hit by a food crisis following drought and locust infestations.

“But Niger needs more than a quick fix – it needs sustained and targeted support to help it out of its crushing poverty once and for all,” Mr. Cirri said of the country, which is last on the UN Human Development Index (HDI).

Even if rains are sufficient, locusts stay away, harvests are good and food prices remain stable next year, many Nigeriens have already stretched their ability to deal with difficult times to the limit. Their survival strategies will be less reliable and less sustainable in 2006.

WFP completed general food aid distributions in early October, following the arrival of the harvest. A total of nearly 3 million people have received food, but pressing needs remain. In order to meet the most immediate requirements, WFP has extended its current emergency operation until the end of March.