Summaries of HUNGER PROJECTS in Africa
Working with LWR Partners

Niger—Konni: Emergency Assistance to the Arrondissement of Konni, Niger.

Partners: LWR and the Association Eau pour le Sahel (AES)

The Republic of Niger is experiencing widespread famine and displacement of populations resulting from two consecutive years of poor harvests. Twelve locations across the country were identified by the National Emergency Office as the hardest hit. These include Konni, with a population of 320,330. In this area, food reserves have been completely depleted, resulting in cereal prices expected to climb more than 100 percent by August 2001. Populations have started exodus because they are unable to buy the cereals necessary to survive the immediate crisis and purchase the grains for next season’s planting purposes.

GOAL: To assist the population of Konni, Niger meet their immediate food requirements and produce 31.9 metric tons of food for the next year. In order to meet this production goal, 31 metric tons of seeds will be bought and distributed to area farmers, enabling them to plant 10,000 hectares of food crops. Direct project beneficiaries will include 3200 families (72,000 people) living in 21 villages. In addition 575 families, who are currently wandering the region, will be enabled to return to and work on their farms.

OBJECTIVES: LWR’s partner, AES will:

• Identify the neediest families in the 21 villages of Konni, and determine the criteria for participation in the program.

• Purchase 31 metric tons of special select seed. If local seeds are available, this quantity (as well as the number of beneficiaries) will double.

• Distribute 10 kilos of seeds to each family (estimated to contain an average of six members farming five hectares of land).

• Monitor the distribution of seeds and the production activities.

• Monitor the harvest and report on project results.

Total Project Support: $217,831 through 2004.

Hunger Projects : Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.

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