Emergency Response for Populations Suffering from Food Crisis

This project was part of the Nigerien government’s response to the food and nutrition crisis brought on by highly insufficient harvests in the 2011 crop year that threatened over half the population. Emergency aid provided to 85 villages in the Tahoua region, one of the areas hit hardest by the current crisis. CECI has been present in the region since 2009 through the Women and Food Security (FSA – Femmes et sécurité alimentaire) project, which is funded by CIDA and carried out in partnership with Socodevi.

Within a national context marked by recurring food crises and chronic malnutrition, this emergency response aimed to contribute to the immediate survival of the most affected families.

30,254 families benefited from income-generating labour activities for six months through a cash-for-work system. Women account for 37% of the workforce; this clearly reflects the importance that CECI places on women working jobs traditionally held by men. In Niger, women play a very important role in the household economy. They are they are primarily in charge of ensuring their family’s well-being. This is why, in times of crisis, a women-centric strategy is considered one of the most effective ways to stoke economic recovery and directly reach those affected by the crisis. In addition, the work carried out in the project resulted in the rehabilitation of 4,000 hectares of degraded land. The rehabilitated lands were planted with herbacious species in areas dedicated to pastoral use and organic compost was sown in areas reserved for agricultural use. Tahoua residents will continue to use these important advancements to improve their food and income security.

Having worked in Niger for over 25 years, CECI supports disadvantaged and isolated populations, in particular those living in rural areas, the most likely to be forgotten. CECI’s objective is to ensure food security for the populations of the Tahoua region through development initiatives targeting women.