10th June 2010
The Irish Red Cross IRCS welcomed the issuing of the most recent National Rapid Household Food Security Survey in Niger on the 20th of May 2010.
An analysis of the assessment shows that severe food insecurity is affecting 22% of the population (3.3 million people an additional 600,000 when compared to the last survey in January 2010), while moderate food insecurity affects 25.5% of the population (3.8 million people). This means that overall food insecurity is currently affecting 47.7% of the population or at least 7.1 million people. While these figures are extremely worrying the future for these people remains very uncertain as everyone awaits the rains due in the coming month. According to Noel Wardick, Head of International Department "if the 2010 rains do not arrive on time pastoral and agricultural households will require massive emergency assistance to avoid destitution and increased mortality".
Irish Red Cross Emergency Response Programme
The Irish Red Cross continues to implement an Emergency Response Programme in three zones in the Tanout Department of Zinder Region in order to strengthen and protect investments already made in poverty reduction while also aiming to alleviate the current intensified shortterm vulnerability
Cash for Work & Cash Transfer
The IRCS in partnership with the British Red Cross is implementing an emergency CashforWork and Cash Transfer programme The CashforWork programme is targeting beneficiaries who are physically able to carry out work in addition to complimenting the longer-term objectives of the IRCS current programme A cash transfer programme is also being implemented where beneficiaries identified by the community who are unable to participate in cash for work activities receive an unconditional cash grant.
Cereal Banks
In addition to the emergency Cash-for-Work Programme the Irish Red Cross Livelihoods Programme continues to rehabilitate construct and support cereal banks community food stores in the Tanout area
Through a partnership agreement with the UN World Food Program WFP 255 tonnes of cereal stocks have been distributed to replenish the 43 Irish Red Cross supported cereal banks This will further ensure that cereal is available at a low and affordable price to those most affected by the current food shortage
Food Distribution
The IRCS in partnership with the Niger Red Cross French Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC is also conducting a free food distribution in 61 communities in the urban district of Zinder on behalf of the WFP and the Government of Niger The 61 communities have a total population of 45760 inhabitants 12309 of these inhabitants have been identified as being the most vulnerable representing 1758 households Each household has already been provided with one-month supply of food items 100kg per month for the month of Mayearly June The distributions will continue to take place each month until September 2010.
Seed Distribution
The IRCS in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO is collaborating to conduct a blanket distribution of seeds in the 30 communities in the IRCS zones of intervention 216 tonnes of millet seeds and 65 tonnes of arachides seeds type of peanut will be distributed to all households This distribution is crucial to ensure a harvest for the coming year as Noel Wardick explains due to the lack of a harvest in 2009 most households do not have access to seeds and therefore it is vital that these seeds are provided now to allow them the opportunity to plant for this years harvest.
Make a Donation
Online: Please make an online donation
Phone: 1850 50 70 70
By Post to: Irish Red Cross, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
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Niger facing severe food crisis - 16 March 2010