Niger
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- The early depletion of household food stocks, combined with the atypical rise in food prices, is limiting access to food for an increasing number of households. In the conflict-affected regions of Tahoua and Tillabéry, for example, poor households that have run out of cereal stocks and face few economic opportunities to earn income are engaging in negative crisis adaptation strategies to gain access to food. They are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). Households in the Diffa and Maradi regions also have deficits, but these are being reduced thanks to ongoing food assistance sufficient to cover at least 25% of the needs of more than 50% of households. Therefore, Stressed! (IPC Phase 2 !) outcomes are expected in these departments.
- The socio-political situation is marked by the reopening of the borders of ECOWAS countries on February 25, 2024, following the meeting of the organization's heads of state. This was effective at the beginning of March 2024 in the case of Nigeria-Niger, but not yet effective between Benin and Niger, as Niger maintains the closure of its border for security reasons. So, despite the official reopening, there has been no significant change in cross-border flows, and trade continues along alternative routes. Market supplies and food prices, which improved in October 2023 compared with July, August, and September 2023, have not changed significantly since the reopening.
- Seasonal livelihood activities currently underway consist mainly of market garden production, which is in the harvesting phase. These dry-season crops contribute to household food and financial resources but at a lower-than-average level due to conflicts that limit access to production sites, particularly in the Tillabéry region, where security incidents are becoming more frequent than in other affected regions.
- Food assistance programs are being developed, and the sanctions that have been lifted will provide the necessary resources for their implementation. In the Diffa and Maradi regions, food aid covers at least 25% of household food needs, estimated at over 50%. The assistance plans developed for the regions of Tillabéry and Tahoua cover only a limited population in need due to civil insecurity and the security measures in force, which restrict the movements of humanitarian organizations, reducing their full and regular implementation.
Recommended citation: FEWS NET. Niger Key Message Update March 2024: Early depletion of household stocks and sustained rises in food prices limit access to food, 2024.
This Key Message Update provides a high-level analysis of current acute food insecurity conditions and any changes to FEWS NET's latest projection of acute food insecurity outcomes in the specified geography. Learn more here.