Niger
Niger remains the poorest country in the world. In 2005, a lack of rain and a plague of locusts contributed to a major food crisis. ACF has rapidly implemented programs to deal with malnutrition and has also developed long term projects.
Program Information
Directing HQ:
Action Against Hunger - SpainLaunch Date:
January 1997World Region:
AfricaLocation(s):
Tahoua, Maradi, Bilma and AgadezExpatriates:
18Local Staff:
251Beneficiaries:
165,500peopleFunding:
UE, ECHO, AECI, City Council of Madrid, Government of Castilla-La Mancha, DFID, UNICEF, WFP, FAO, Action Against Hunger UK, private fundsHumanitarian Context
Niger ranks second lowest on the UNDP's Human Development Index despite having significant uranium deposits. In recent years oilfields have been discovered in the north and southeast of the country.
The harsh environmental conditions of the Sahel desert, with continuous droughts, create an almost permanent state of food insecurity. Less than 12% of the country's land is arable. The loss of competitiveness of commodities such as dates and salt on the international market has reduced the already scarce opportunities for trade in the country.
Despite the peace accord with the Tuareg armed groups at the end of the 90s, there are still few international organizations that are prepared to enter the Sahel desert. Frequent strikes in the educational and health services as a result of political and social instability pose a significant obstacle to development. Moreover, the uncontrolled growth of some urban centers has gone hand in hand with the increase in problems like prostitution and AIDS.
Area(s) of Work
Nutrition:
- Creation of 2 acute nutritional rehabilitation centers
- Creation of 47 mobile nutrition centers
- Treatment of moderate and severe children malnutrition
- Training at health centers and hospitals on malnutrition treatments
Food Security:
- Support to cereals supply
- Distribution of food rations
- Distribution of agricultural raw materials (seeds, tools)
- Support to the production and commercialization of dates and salt
- Training for a better exploitation of local products (management of food stocks, commercialization…)
Water & Sanitation:
- Construction of wells to support commerce between Agadez and Bilma
- Construction of rural wells and wells for irrigation
