Context
For decades, the Republic of the Niger has been affected by numerous natural disasters and the fallout from political conflicts. Pronounced climate variability, accompanied by increasing drought and floods in addition to locust invasions and pest infestation, have weakened agriculture in the country. The agricultural sector has to provide not only for a rapidly growing population but also for displaced persons and returnees. Food shortages are often the consequence.
In order to respond to acute food crises, the Government of the Niger created a specialised authority back in 1998, the Dispositif National for the prevention and management of food crises. This body is now supported by 13 international donors. The authority’s tasks are to monitor the supply situation, draw up supply plans, build up food reserves and to ensure food supply in the event of a crisis.
Objective
The Niger is better able to respond to food crises if the functional capacity of the responsible authority has been strengthened.
Approach
This project provides advice on technical, strategic and policy issues relating to food security, and also on the monitoring and evaluation of results. The advice focuses on organisational management, data collection and evaluation, and the transfer of activities to regions and municipalities. The relevant specialists in administrations as well as citizens themselves are being involved in the activities of the Dispositif National in the eight regions of the country and in six pilot municipalities.
The implementation of this project is being supported by the Eco Consult company.