We are off to Niger…

This Wednesday we are heading to Niger for approximately 6 weeks.

According to the most recent United Nations Human Development Index, Niger ranks 187 out of 188 countries as the second least developed country in the world (for the countries where data is available).  45.7% of the population lives on less than $1.90 USD a day. With little money available to the average Nigerien, the vast majority of the population live as subsistence farmers or herders, making them extremely vulnerable to droughts.

World Renew has partnered in Niger for over 20 years, doing community development work.  Activities focus on training to help people improve their food production and their health.

The 2017 rainy season was not good in the area where World Renew works and villages in the area only have a 30-40% harvest compared to normal years.  In January, right after harvest, 44% of the sampling of development beneficiaries already reported having to take out loans to purchase food.   Typically, people rely on selling their animals when they are in need of money. Already challenged by the bad harvest and consequent food shortage, they are experiencing a significant drop in the value of their currency as well a decrease in the value of their animals.

World Renew’s partner fears that if we do not do a food assistance intervention, it will have serious consequences as people are forced to resort to negative coping mechanisms, like going into debt, selling usable assets or female animals, or going to other countries to find work.

In order to develop a project that both responds to these urgent needs and integrates with ongoing development work, a pre-project planning period is required.  There is very limited official information available or publicity from the government about this need.  Our assignment is to help with the preliminary needs assessment and, depending on the results of that, with pre-project planning and proposal writing, and preparation for the project.