20120313
AFP
More than six million people in Niger need immediate help as the country faces a persistent food crisis due to drought and a number of other factors, the UN and humanitarian group Oxfam said Monday.

"The situation of populations, in particular women and children, is deteriorating quickly," they said in a joint statement.

"We call for a rapid response, consistent and massive response to prevent irreversible situations and to promote durable solutions," said Fode Ndiaye, humanitarian coordinator and also UN resident coordinator.

"According to the national Early Warning System (SAP), more than six million Nigeriens need immediate assistance."

"To cope with the food shortage, families are forced to adapt their feeding and economical behaviors, notably by reducing the number of daily meals, by selling their assets, or migrating to urban areas or neighbouring countries," Ndiaye added.

In some communities in the region of Tillabery, more than 40 percent of households have left their villages earlier than usual in search of food or livelihoods in urban areas, he said.

"Nationwide, more than 33,000 children have already been taken out of school because of the early migration of their parents or to contribute to revenue generating activities.

"More than half a million children are at risk of dropping out of school due to the food and nutrition crisis."

The government in Niamey said last month that the country will face a cereal shortage this year of 692,000 tonnes, or 14 percent of the needs of its population of 15 million.

A dangerous combination of drought, high food prices, reduced harvests, poverty and conflict are driving an emerging crisis across several nations in northwest Africa including Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and northern Senegal, Oxfam said last week.