Crop failure and poor harvests as a result of prolonged drought in West Africa’s Sahel region have led to food shortages and increased rates of malnutrition in the surrounding areas. A nationwide survey found that nearly 17 percent of Niger’s under-five children suffer from acute malnutrition. That’s a 42 percent increase from the same period last year.

According to an article from IRIN news, “nearly half of Niger’s children are chronically under-nourished and are lacking life-saving nutrients. “ The most affected regions are Diffa, Maradi, Zinderand Tahoua, where acute malnutrition falls into WHO’s critical threshold. “Nearly half a million children are acutely malnourished, including some 87,000 severely malnourished.”

Neighboring countries Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon are also facing shortages and malnutrition risks.  NEMA (Nigeria Emergency Management Agency) estimated that 12 million people across the north could face a lack of basic commodities. 

Vitamin Angels is supplying 767,000 doses of vitamin A to Niger this year. We are also working to reach the populations of Chad and Nigeria with essential nutrients.

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