Japan helps WFP support people affected by insecurity and violence in parts of Niger
Niamey – More than 45,000 people in Niger’s crisis-affected regions of Diffa, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabery and Zinder have received lifesaving food and nutrition assistance this year through a contribution of US$ 3 million by the Government of Japan, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today.
Escalating violence in neighbouring countries and attacks by non-state armed groups within Niger have led to an increased influx of refugees and a rise in the number of internally displaced people (IDP) in Tahoua, Tillabery, Diffa, Maradi regions. There are over 265,000 IDPs and about 230,000 refugees in the whole of Niger.
“This contribution from the Government of Japan enabled us to rapidly bring assistance to people who were acutely food insecure and in urgent need of support,” said Sory Ouane, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Niger. “It was a timely help when funds were running low in a year blighted by the coronavirus pandemic whose social and economic impact compounded an already dire food and nutrition situation for people affected by violence and insecurity.”
Japan’s support also helped provide critical assistance during the agricultural lean season between where the number of food insecure people regularly increases. In all, over 24,000 people received rations through direct food distributions, while more than 6,000 received cash transfers to purchase food through local markets. In addition, more than 3,300 children under the age of 2 received specialised nutritious foods to prevent malnutrition; while 3,000 vulnerable pregnant women and another 8,800 children under the age of 2 age received treatment for moderate acute malnutrition.
WFP’s comprehensive response in Niger seeks to assist refugees, IDP’s, host communities and returnees based on their vulnerability. In areas prone to conflict and insecurity, the overall response consists of unconditional food support to vulnerable populations residing in or outside refugee camps. WFP and partners have so far assisted some 900,000 people through crisis response activities in 2020.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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