Niger appeal

DAKAR, 8 April 2010 (IRIN) - Aid agencies are asking donors for US$133 million to help the government feed millions of people at risk of going hungry, adding to $57 million already received or committed. The funds are needed to improve the food security of 3.2 million people and provide nutritional assistance to 1.54 million children and 35,000 pregnant and lactating women, the UN and NGOs in Niger say. Some 7.8 million people, almost 60 percent of the population, risk not being able to access adequate food, according to the latest December 2009 survey. Six UN agencies and nine NGOs are launching the appeal. “We urge the international community to respond swiftly and ensure humanitarian agencies have the required financial resources to respond to Niger’s urgent needs,” Khardiata Lo N’diaye, head of the UN in Niger, said in a 7 April communiqué. OCHA spokesperson Stephanie Bunker told IRIN: “The main focus of the UN and its partners is to save lives in Niger and help people escape food insecurity and malnutrition.” Agencies also need support to address people’s health and water and sanitation needs, she said. Over 1.5 million children risk becoming malnourished in the next twelve months if urgent action is not taken, Bunker warned. Modibo Traoré who is with OCHA in Niger, told IRIN: “If sufficient funding is not found a significant increase in mortality and morbidity among children under five may occur; population movements from rural to urban areas and neighbouring countries will increase, and the abandonment of schools will intensify dramatically. More than one million head of cattle may die. It is extremely urgent to act now because these consequences are already visible on the ground.” Mass migration is already occurring, with people heading from where rural villages to towns in Agadez, Zinder, Maradi and the capital, Niamey, as well as to neighbouring countries. Poor or erratic rainfall has caused
serious food and fodder shortages in parts of the country, triggering a spike in grain prices and a fall in livestock prices.
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