Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 2 June 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 June 2010. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Monday, 7 June 2010 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Niger: Droughts

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the likelihood of drought in Niger in the next six months; and whether he plans to offer assistance to Niger to alleviate the effects of any drought.

Answer: Over 7.1 million people in Niger already face severe or moderate food insecurity following poor rains, harvests and pastures in 2009. The Africa Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development latest forecast is for normal levels of rainfall during the next six months. We will continue to monitor the situation carefully.The Department for International Development (DFID) has already provided over £9.5 million to United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations to respond to the most urgent needs in Niger. Our funding will provide food aid to 118,000 people for three months; treat 20,000 children with severe acute malnutrition; provide cash for work or payments to 20,000 households; support 15,000 vulnerable households maintain a minimum number of livestock and provide seeds to more than 81,000 households. An additional £1 million has been provided to strengthen the longer term resilience of communities to future disasters.

Secondary information