Highlights on food and nutrition security:

Food and nutrition security in Niger remains a significant concern. Despite some improvements in recent years, the country still faces high levels of food insecurity, particularly in rural areas. The 2023 crisis and subsequent sanctions exacerbated the situation, leading to a rise in food prices and a decline in food availability.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the price of millet, a staple grain, was 23% higher than the seasonal average in August 2023, and 5% higher than the previous record-breaking levels of 2022 [1]. The crisis also disrupted humanitarian assistance programs, leading to a decrease in food aid and an increase in malnutrition.

The Cadre Harmonisé/IPC analysis conducted in March 2024 projects that 3.4 million people (12.9% of the total population) will be severely food insecure during the June-August 2024 lean season period, representing an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

The main drivers of food insecurity in Niger include food price inflation, pockets of low crop or fodder production due to localized drought, insecurity, and falling household income due to the political crisis. The situation is further complicated by the country's high dependence on imported food, particularly from Nigeria and Benin.