Niger: fears for the future

A girl stands in front of empty granaries at the village of Tangaba in northwestern Niger, where inhabitants ate leaves and grass to survive [Reuters/Finbarr O'Reilly, courtesy www.alertnet.org]

In the world’s poorest country, extreme weather is an ever present threat. Scientists say Niger could face more frequent and intense droughts as global warming causes the rains to fail

In 2005, Niger, suffered drought and a catastrophic food crisis which left 3.6 million people facing severe shortages. Fierce dust storms are a regular occurrence in the Sahel desert region of West Africa, an unforgiving climate which regularly suffers failed harvests.

Scientists say that climate change will lead to increased water shortages across much of Africa.

When and where drought will hit is hard to predict. Rainfall could even increase across the Sahel over the next 50 years. However, scientists warn that, in the longer term, the region will inevitably have to cope with more frequent and severe droughts.

"Hungry season"

Farmers and herders in the Sahel have developed ways of coping with periods of low rainfall. Many people get through the annual “hungry season” from June to October by eating vegetation boiled up to make a watery stew.

However, climate disruption stretches their capacity for survival to the limits.

"We have never experienced anything like the crisis [in 2005] – we nearly died, " says 28-year-old Howa.

"We had no food, no money, nothing to do. I used to collect leaves to give to the children. I used to cook them. This was our one meal of the day."

In response, CAFOD’s local partners - Caritas Niger, Catholic Relief Services and Islamic Relief - set up communal food banks and feeding centres for malnourished children.

Banking on the future

Gilbért Wellindé, Caritas Niger’s field co-ordinator, says: “A communal bank is better than individual storage because there is a committee to manage it.

“Each member of the community gives what they can afford after the harvest. With individual banks, people tend to use up their supplies more quickly, and some have more than others.”

In 2006, communities were better prepared for the hungry season, thanks in part to new soil preparation methods such as the digging of “half-moons” on sloped lands in order to retain water.

CAFOD partners are also working to diversify food sources and develop alternative sources of income, so that the people of Niger are not left completely exposed to the harsh effects of climate disruption.