N4D IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT OF NIGER
1.0
Overview
Niger has a long history of food and nutrition crises, which are felt acutely since 80 per cent of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. The country made progress in poverty reduction between 2014 and 2019: agriculture was the main driver for economic growth, with poverty dropping by 5.4 percentage points, particularly in rural areas *. Despite such gains, poverty remains endemic in Niger, and the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn it caused has stalled further reductions.
The country is currently facing a multi-dimensional crisis due to climate extremes, ongoing armed conflict and chronic poverty. Sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the coup d’etat in July 2023 worsened levels of food insecurity, particularly in the regions most affected by the crisis – Diffa, Maradi, Tahoua and Tillabéri. Persistent violence and insecurity between 2019 and 2023 has resulted in mass displacement: more than 308,200 migrants arrived, more than 1.2 million moved within the country and more than 2.2 million left. The Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) found that around 3.4 million people were food insecure during the 2024 lean season (June to August), with a lack of assistance for around 1.5 million people. Current Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) funding is less than 19 per cent.
* Source: Niger Poverty Assessment, 2021
CHILDREN REQUIRE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
PEOPLE ARE INTERNALLY DISPLACED
PEOPLE NEED HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
PEOPLE FACING FOOD & NUTRITION INSECURITY
%
CHILDREN AGED UNDER 5 YEARS ARE WASTED
%
CHILDREN AGED UNDER 5 YEARS SUFFER FROM MODERATE TO SEVERE STUNTING
1.1
Key characteristics of a NEXUS approach to nutrition
A HDPN approach to nutrition is guided by wider HDPN approaches such as the OECD DAC Recommendation on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (see pdf download below).
N4D defines a HDPN approach for nutrition as:
“… [when] all humanitarian, development and peace actors draw on their comparative advantages and work in collaboration and coherence with each other, under national leadership, in order to achieve the collective outcome of sustained improvements in nutrition for all people. All stakeholders align with national and sub-national priorities as outlined in one overarching, national and multisectoral nutrition action plan.”
Key elements of a HDPN approach:
- Collective outcomes to sustainably reduce needs, risks and vulnerabilities by preventing, preparing and responding to malnutrition;
- Collaborative and coherent ways of working between humanitarian, development and peace-building actors;
- Drawing on respective comparative advantages; and
- Convergence of HDPN actions on the same at-risk populations.
Learn more
DAC Recommendation on the OECD Legal Instruments Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (pdf)
Strengthening the Humanitarian-
Development Nexus for Nutrition in Protracted Crises (pdf)
Lessons learned and recommendations from
the humanitarian-development nexus for nutrition (pdf)
1.2
The Niger Context
3N Initiative ‘Nigeriens Nourishing Nigeriens’ (I3N) focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, food and nutrition security and income generation, as well as social integration of the most vulnerable, including women. I3N sparked a new way of looking at nutrition as more than just a humanitarian issue or under food security.
The National Mechanism for the Prevention and Management of Disasters and Food Crises – Dispositif National de Prévention et de Gestion des Crises Alimentaires (DNPGCA) is attached to the Prime Minister’s office and provides the response to food and nutritional emergencies. The Ministry of Humanitarian Action and Disaster Management coordinates the nutritional response in camps and sites for displaced people.
Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agricultural Development (SAN/DAD) strategy
National Nutrition Security Policy – Politique Nationale de Sécurité Nutritionnelle (PNSN)
Prevelance of stunting, wasting and overweight in children under 5
Source: Global Nutriton Report
1.3
Humanitarian, development and peace financing in Niger
Since 2014, humanitarian needs have increased in the border regions due to the activities of non state armed groups in Nigeria and Mali. Despite the increase in needs, humanitarian funding has not risen in step due to the global increase in humanitarian needs and strong competition for limited resources. Current funding for the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) is less than 19 per cent. However, Niger is a significant recipient of development aid.
Since 2018, the government has been making efforts to implement the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus approach in order to: address the structural causes of vulnerabilities; deliver humanitarian assistance to save lives; and promote recovery, strengthening resilience and stability in fragile areas and communities.
Source: States of Fragility
This page will continue to be updated with content and other supporting documents as the project progresses. N4D welcome feedback and are always keen to engage in discussion.