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Drought, locusts leave millions hungry in Niger
19 May 2005 23:47:00 GMT
Source: Reuters
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UNITED NATIONS, May 19 (Reuters) - Drought and a locust infestation have left 3.6 million people in critical need of food aid in Niger, the United Nations said on Thursday and appealed for $16.2 million in emergency funding for the impoverished West African nation.
The needy include 800,000 children under 5, and 150,000 of them suffer from severe malnutrition, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.
"A silent crisis is looming in Niger," the U.N. office said. "All indicators point towards increased poverty due to population increases, desertification, locust infestations and rain shortfalls."
Niger, with a total population of about 12 million, ranks as one of the world's least developed, lowest-income countries.
Most of its families depend on subsistence farming, growing only enough food to survive until the next harvest. Even in the best of years, 40 percent of its children are malnourished, the U.N. office said.
The food situation could become even more dire should a new drought or locust invasion occur during the 2005 growing season, which ends in September, the world body said.
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