Food Assistance Fact Sheet - Niger

October 18, 2012

Food Security Situation

Map of Niger
CIA World Factbook

  • Niger is one of the least developed countries worldwide, ranking 186 out of 187 on UN Development Program (UNDP) 2011 Human Development Index. Nearly 60 percent of the population lives in poverty and over 80 percent of the population relies on subsistence farming. Threats to Niger’s food security include extreme poverty, high food prices, insect infestation, conflict and weather-related shocks.

  • With the start of season, the return of migrants, and very high grain prices, grain demand for food and seeds is increasing and the financial resources are limited to household income from the sale of farm labor. 

  • Agricultural production is threatened by locust activity. Several locust swarms were reported in northern Niger. 

Food Assistance Programs

  • The Office of Food for Peace (FFP)  targeted over 563,800 food-insecure Nigeriens in the Agadez, Dosso, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder, Goure, and Maine Soroa regions.

  • FFP partnered with the UN World Food Program (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Africare, Mercy Corps, Counterpart International and Catholic Relief Services on a variety of activities including agricultural production, health and nutrition, natural resource management, emergency preparedness, disaster mitigation, water and sanitation, vulnerable group feeding, social safety net, education, microcredit and microfinance development, and civil society strengthening.

Food for Peace Contributions

Total Contributions:

  U.S. Dollars Metric Tons
Fiscal Year 2012 $94.0 million 38,510 MT
Fiscal Year 2011 $54.4 million 42,840 MT
Fiscal Year 2010 $90.5 million 62,160 MT
Fiscal Year 2009 $14.0 million 13,140 MT

Fiscal Year 2012 Contribution Breakdown:

  U.S. Dollars Metric Tons
Title II Development $19.9 million 14,690 MT
Title II Emergency $37.1 million 23,820 MT
Emergency Food Security Program (EFSP) $37.0 million 19,500 MT

Note: EFSP: Emergency Food Security Program; FY: Fiscal Year; MT: Metric Ton; UNDP: United Nations Development Program; UNICEF: United Nations Children's Fund; USD: U.S. Dollar; WFP: World Food Program
Food Security Situation Information provided by FEWS NET and WFP as of August 2012
Note: FY 12 Emergency Contributions include $1.6 million in a regional West Africa contribution

Country Specific Guidance

Last updated: October 22, 2012

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