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A year of severe drought has led to widespread crop failures and critical food shortages in Niger. Millions of people are at risk of starvation in what has been called a “silent crisis.”

“This is quite likely the largest food security crisis in the world at the moment even though it is not getting much press in North America,” said Charles Ibsen, director of the Samaritan's Purse office in Niger. “The situation here is the most critical it has been in the past five years. Many families have been without grain supplies since January and have had to resort to selling household capital, migrating to other countries or urban centers in search of work, and even foraging for wild seed to feed their families. It is very sad to see so many people struggling to meet their most basic need of food.”

More than 3.3 million—22 percent of the population of about 16 million—recently were identified as being severely food insecure. Around 400,000 children are in danger of dying. The situation is extremely dire, with the next harvest not until October.

“If sufficient funding is not found, a significant increase in mortality and morbidity among children under five may occur,” said Modibo Traoré, an official with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Niger. “Population movements from rural to urban areas and neighboring countries will increase, and the abandonment of schools will intensify dramatically. More than 1 million head of cattle may die. It is extremely urgent.”

Samaritan’s Purse is working in some of the hardest-hit areas. In Ouallam Department, we are launching a feeding program. Ouallam’s rate of severe food insecurity is 64.1 percent and is one of only two departments in the country rated by the government as being in a situation of “extreme nutritional and food insecurity.”

In the Tillaberry district, where over half of the population is suffering from severe or moderate food insecurity, we are starting a “cash for work” program. Samaritan’s Purse staff members are identifying the neediest families within the area. They will be offered money to buy food at the market. In exchange, they will dig irrigation ditches and plant trees on their own and surrounding land, helping to protect and improve future crops for the local community.

Samaritan’s Purse has been working in Niger since 2005, when we opened a field office in the country to respond to a similar food crisis. Samaritan’s Purse has been involved in famine relief, childhood feeding and school lunch programs, livestock programs, and clean water projects.