In 2005, Niger, the world’s second poorest country, suffered from severe famine, causing a huge health impact. An estimated 800 000 children under the age of 5 were affected, of which 160 000 were malnourished and 32 000 left severely malnourished. The crisis affected the regions of northern Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri and Zinder of Niger. The famine was caused by an early end to the 2004 rains, desert locust damage to some pasture lands, high food prices and chronic poverty.
Gift of the Givers Response:
Severe drought, followed by ruinous flooding - which decimated crops - resulted in a dreadful famine in Niger, one of the world's poorest nations, leading to our intercession in 2005. With some 3 million people facing starvation, we flew famine relief and a medical team to Niamey, the capital of Niger, delivering and distributing to the hard-hit Tillaberi region no less than 36 tons of food, a vast amount of Sibusiso Ready Food - a high-energy protein supplement - quantities of water purification tablets and vital medical supplies and working with those suffering the crippling effects of the food crisis.