Date of publication: 07.11.2011
Prepared by: ACAPS, Geneva
Nature of the crisis: Food Insecurity
About this document: This document is a desk study in which estimates of scale, severity and likely impact of a natural or man-induced disaster are determined. It aims to inform decision making for preparedness and emergency response. Information has been gathered through a review of secondary data, field studies on-going during the emergency, contact with individuals working in the field, use of lessons learned and experience from past similar crises or disasters. The SDR is intended to complement and integrate assessment-related information from other agencies and feedback is welcome on how this document can be improved (Operations@acaps.org). CaLP, ECB, infoasaid and ACAPS thank agencies and NGOs who have shared the data and analysis which made this report possible. Disclaimer: Information provided is provisional as it has not been possible to independently verify field reports. As this report covers highly dynamic subject, utility of the information may decrease with time. Please use the most recent update.
Disaster Overview
Niger has seen rapid population growth and environmental change over the last 40 years: arable surfaces have decreased, and the population has multiplied by four. Over half the population suffers from chronic food insecurity, and 22% of the population is extremely food insecure (SWG 2011). 2011 is seeing failure of both cash and food crops due to drought and insects (Tufts 3/11). Chronic malnutrition in children <5 has increased from 27% in 1992 to 46% in 2009 (CaLP 2011, NNS 2009). In 2010, 250,000 children affected by severe acute malnutrition were admitted to therapeutic centres for direct life-saving interventions. Half the population suffered from food insecurity (UNICEF 2010), while fully 3.3 million were severely food insecure (IFRC 31/10).
This report coincides with the harvest season in Niger, thus, this should be the most food secure time for the country with high levels of food availability nationwide. However, early predictions indicate that close to three million people are at risk of food insecurity due to production shortfalls in 2011/2012, predominantly in Tillabery and Tahoua (FEWSNET 9/2011). Previous food crises in Niger rapidly evolved from manageable to crisis levels when Nigerian import prices rose in light of regional food shortages. It is problematic that limited information on cross border market trade with Nigeria is available. Gaps in understanding of the impact of flooding in Southern Nigeria on harvest outputs and ensuing availability of food for import to Niger also need to be addressed (Tufts 4/11).
Available data on food needs are limited and inconsistent making it difficult to determine if current food insecurity will remain localised or whether Niger is in a state of national pre-crisis food insecurity that will expand countrywide as harvest food availability decreases and import prices continue to increase to levels similar to previous food crises.