PRESS conference on niger aid

 

In an effort to alleviate the worsening crisis gripping the world’s second poorest country, the United Nations today appealed for just under $81 million in humanitarian aid for Niger.

Presenting the United Nations Flash Appeal for Niger at a Headquarters press conference, Margareta Wahlström, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said today’s request followed the original Flash Appeal, issued in May, for $16 million. 

The original appeal had sought to compliment the Government’s efforts to combat the effects of 2004’s drought and locust invasions in a country suffering from extreme poverty.  The bulk of the funds requested under the revision were aimed at feeding 2.5 million people suffering from food insecurity. 

Ms. Wahlström said the largest portion of the appeal -- some $59 million -- was for the World Food Programme (WFP) and another $10 million for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).  To ensure no further deterioration, some 2.5 million people would receive food from WFP and other agencies, in addition to what the Government was already providing from its almost depleted buffer stocks. 

Among those most in need, 192,000 children -- 32,000 severely malnourished and 160,000 moderately malnourished -- would be supported, she said.  Children often died from health-induced problems and poor access to health facilities.  Part of the response would be to make health facilities available, in addition to strengthening water provision.  In the past few weeks, given the mobilization of efforts, the decline had been arrested.  However, it would be months before it could be said that the situation had improved. 

A major problem had been the cattle, she said, many of which had been sick, did not have fodder and had moved from where they should be.  That was where the population had its wealth.  Restocking cattle would take several months.  In addressing that situation, the plan was to create fodder banks for the cattle.  Efforts would focus on feeding them and moving them back.  The price of cattle had become extremely low, she added.

She also drew attention to other countries in West Africa, among the poorest in the world, which were suffering from the consequences of a mix of drought, locust invasions and some market factors.  Among them were Mali, where 1.1 million people were affected and would need food aid; Burkina Faso, where 500,000 people already needed food assistance; and Mauritania, where the food security situation was very fragile.  In that connection, the United Nations was considering whether to relaunch its original Consolidated Appeal for West Africa, issued earlier this year.

In response to a question, she said that the infrastructure in Niger was adequate and had not been an impediment.  The issue had been to extend access to where the population was.  That was what was taking place now, with feeding centres linking up with health centres and reaching out to the population.  Some 6,000 metric tonnes of food had already been delivered by the United Nations. 

Asked how many lives could have been saved if a proposed emergency humanitarian fund had existed, Ms. Wahlström recalled that, late last year, the humanitarian agencies had warned that the situation could turn into a risky scenario and had sought support early on.  Also, the United Nations had launched an appeal.  Had that fund existed, it would have been used at that time.  “That would have saved lives, no doubt.” 

On how difficult it was for the United Nations to raise funds for Africa vis-à-vis other parts of the world, she said the funds were now coming into Niger.  She did not see a major problem with filling resources.  However, she pointed out that the resources did not come in when the appeal was launched in May.  It was important not to blame any single actor for that, she added. 

In response to another question, she said she welcomed French intervention in the crisis.  Some governments and institutions were traditionally very bilateral, but it was important that they shared information with the United Nations to ensure coordination.  The Government of Morocco had also assisted in Niger.  Responding to a further question, Islamic countries were increasingly contributing.  Saudi Arabia, for example, was becoming an important donor to many United Nations appeals.

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For information media • not an official record