OCHA Situation Report No. 6
Niger Food Crisis 2005
14 September 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HIGHLIGHTS

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan ended on 24 August a two-day
visit to Niger aimed at taking stock of the humanitarian assistance in
Niger to feed millions of thousands in need of food aid. UNSG Annan
highlighted the importance of providing aid immediately to the
vulnerable, and at the same time identifying medium and long term
solutions against food crises.

On the eve of Annan's visit, Medecins Sans Frontieres said in a
statement that food distributions were not reaching those most in need,
and suggested that a review of the distribution mechanism so that
"forgotten" villages are taken into account.

As of 31 August, 2.7 million people were in need of food aid.

WFP started a humanitarian air service.

I. NATIONAL OVERVIEW

1.1 Social and political overview

The political situation remains calm. The food crisis continues to be
well reported in the national media.

1.2 Environmental overview

The Ministry of Agricultural Development reported the presence of
individual locusts and caterpillars in the areas Zinder (east), Dosso
(South-eastern of Niamey) and Tillabery (North-eastern of Niamey).
Grasshoppers also have been reported in the departments of Diffa,
Mayahi, and Tanout, and the presence of plant-eating birds in the
farming areas. In its 20 August information bulletin, the Ministry
reports that land and aerial surveillance will continue, particularly in
areas where conditions are favorable to the development of locusts.

Abundant rains continued in the farm areas located in the south during
the reporting period. In the area of Tillabery, 26 out of 30 rain
stations recorded rain surpluses, in comparison to the same period in
2004. The regions of Dosso, Maradi and Tahoua also recorded high
quantities of rain.

II. HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES

2.1 Food security / Nutrition

As of 31 August, 2.7 million people were in need of food aid. Nearly
900.00 were in an "extremely critical" situation, and 90.000 in
difficult situation. The remaining population is in a situation that
requires close monitoring. WFP and the UNICEF, in collaboration with
NGOs, continue their first round of general food distributions which, as
of August 28, distributed 10,240 tons of food to close 600.000 people.
The first round started on 8 August for a target population of 1.89
million people. The second is expected to start mid-September and would
target of 1.7 million. Following the concerns raised by Medecins Sans
Frontieres that some vulnerable population were left out of the
distribution plans, UN agencies have begun discussions on improving the
existing mechanism and ensuring that food reaches those who are in need.

307 therapeutic feeding centers (TFC) are currently operational in the
country. According to partners active in the sector, the figure could
double to reach 760 by the end of the year, and that the number of
children admitted could reach 200,000. More than 54,000 children were
admitted in TFCs between the 1 July and on 31 August.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International                  web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information             listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                   guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -