United Nations and NGOs appeal for aid in Niger

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) – United Nations and its non-governmental organization partners on Wednesday underscored the need for aid in Niger, citing severe food shortages.

With 7.8 million people in Niger – or three fifths of the population – facing moderate to severe food insecurity, the United Nations and various non-governmental organization partners appealed for international aid to help the Government of the impoverished West African country overcome imminent shortages.

“It is imperative to support the Government in its efforts to mobilize the resources to satisfy the food needs of the most vulnerable,” resident UN Humanitarian Coordinator Khardiata Lo N’Diaye said.

She noted that a national food security assessment completed in December 2009 showed that 2.7 million people suffered severe food insecurity, and another 5.1 million faced moderate food insecurity, with more than half the total population having less than two months food stocks until the next harvest, which isn’t expected until October.

An irregular, spottily distributed and prematurely shortened rainy season in 2009 led to insufficient cereal and fodder production for people and livestock, and the Government is trying to determine how much more funding is needed.

In 2005, when Niger faced severe food charges because of drought, the United Nations launched a variety of initiatives, including funding appeals, to ward off potential famine that threatened nearly 3 million people and had already killed thousands of children.

“We must act at once, and together,” said Lo N’Diaye.

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