UN: 6 Million people need food aid in Niger

Over six million people in Niger need urgent assistance due to drought and many other factors, the United Nations says. "The situation of populations, in particular women and children, is deteriorating quickly," the UN and humanitarian group Oxfam said in a joint statement on Monday. "We call for a rapid response, consistent and massive response to prevent irreversible situations and to promote durable solutions," UN resident coordinator Fode Ndiaye said. According to the national Early Warning System (SAP), over six million Nigeriens require immediate aid. In order to cope with the food shortage, families are forced to reduce the number of daily meals, sell their assets, or migrate to cities or neighboring countries, Ndiaye added. He stated that across the country some 33,000 children have quit school due to either the migration of their parents or the fact that they were forced to work to earn money for their families. "More than half a million children are at risk of dropping out of school due to the food and nutrition crisis," Ndiaye noted. Last week Oxfam said that drought, soaring food prices, reduced harvests, poverty, and conflict are fueling crises in Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, northern Senegal, and many other parts of West Africa.