Food crisis threatens Niger

Villagers picking leaves for food. For some people in Niger it is all they have to eat

Plan is stepping up its efforts to avert the worst of a looming food crisis in drought-hit Niger.

According to the United Nations, 7.8 million Nigeriens – almost 60% of the country’s population – are facing moderate to severe food shortages due to poor rains and insufficient harvests.

This week, Plan released US$200,000 for the emergency from our disaster response fund – but much more is needed.

Race against time

The Niger Government and the World Food Programme have given Plan more than 1000 tonnes of food aid which we are distributing to 73,000 severely vulnerable people in 118 communities across our Tillabéri programme unit.

Rheal Drisdelle, Plan Niger’s country director, said: 'We are not dealing with a catastrophe now, we are dealing with a serious crisis. However, it is only since the recent coup d’etat that NGOs and the UN system have been able to mobilise publicly and we have missed out on 3 or 4 vital months of preparatory work.'

'We now hope that there will be enough time and financial resources available to help us avert the worst.'

In pictures

Watch a slideshow on the Niger food crisis narrated by Rheal, who explains the issues people face and how Plan's relief effforts will also focus on the long term needs of communities.